Baltimore Man Indicted for Armed Robbery of Cellphone Store

Baltimore, Maryland - The U.S. Attorney's Office announced, today, that a Baltimore man faces indictment stemming from an armed robbery of a cellphone store.

A federal grand jury charged Keith Lewis, 28, with one count of interference with commerce by threats or violence; one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person; and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in connection with the armed robbery. Lewis is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to prior convictions.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Charles Doerrer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Commissioner Richard Worley, Baltimore Police Department (BPD).

According to the indictment and public docket filings, on July 10, 2026, Lewis committed an armed robbery of a prepaid wireless service store in East Baltimore. During the robbery, Lewis pointed a firearm at two store employees before stealing several thousand dollars' worth of merchandise. BPD police officers later apprehended Lewis and recovered a semiautomatic pistol that was previously reported stolen. The pistol was loaded with seven live rounds of ammunition. Officers also recovered some of the merchandise stolen from the wireless store during the robbery.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.

If convicted, Lewis faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the charge of interference with commerce by threats or violence, as well as a minimum of seven years and a maximum of life for using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Lewis also faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the ATF and BPD for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Ty Pittinger who is prosecuting the federal case.

For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md.

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