Armed robbery suspect indicted in Illinois after being apprehended by HSI Houston, US Marshals Service in Houston

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — An armed robbery suspect who was apprehended in Houston by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston and the U.S. Marshals Service’s Southern District of Texas field office was indicted Jan. 29 in the Southern District of Illinois for allegedly using a firearm to rob an East St. Louis convenience store.

Vernelle E. Hines, 30, a resident of Houston, Texas, was charged with interfering with commerce by robbery and carrying and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Court documents allege Hines brandished and discharged a firearm and took items and U.S. currency by force from the Mega Supermarket in East St. Louis on Oct. 31, 2023.

If convicted, Hines could face up to 20 years in federal prison for the robbery charge and a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison for the use of a firearm during the commission of the crime.

The Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group investigated the robbery. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns is prosecuting the case.

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HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.