Walter Keitric Freeman, of Houston, and Allen Moore Jr., of Dallas, each pleaded guilty to one count of discharging of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Freeman also pleaded to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, while Moore pleaded to a count of interference with commerce by robbery.
Three other men -- Hendrick Dwayne Lynn, 30, Chad Eric Haywood, 24, and Corinthians Lachell Phillips, 28, all of Houston -– have already entered guilty pleas for their roles in the crimes.
Detectives say Moore, 46, Lynn and Haywood were behind an attempted robbery of a Loomis armored truck at a southeast Houston bank back in August 2009. Detectives say trio ambushed a guard as he was filling an ATM machine. Haywood and Moore shot at the guard with their Glock pistols, while Lynn acted as the getaway driver. The men escaped but empty handed.
Then two months later, 23-year-old Freeman teamed with Lynn and Haywood to rob a check cashing store in southwest Houston, according to authorities. Lynn drove Haywood and Freeman to the store, and during the robbery, Freeman shot a guard. The three men then escaped in a second vehicle waiting for them. That vehicle was driven by Phillips.
Both guards survived the attacks.
None of the men have yet been sentenced but at least one of them faces up to 20 years in prison.
The sentencing for Freeman and Moore has been set for July 10, while the remaining defendants are set for July 12.
With the exception of Phillips, all will remain in custody pending that hearing.
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