Sorrento Man Indicted For Circle K Robberies In Lake And Orange Counties Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Dateline: Ocala, Florida Date: 5 February 2025 Subjects: American Government , Crime, Fuel Stations Topic: Circle K

Ocala, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Jose Flores Avila (33, Sorrento) with two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Each robbery offense carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. The firearm offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years, up to life, in federal prison, which must be served after any prison term imposed for the robberies.

According to the indictment, Avila robbed a Circle K store in Zellwood, Florida, on May 23, 2024. During the robbery, Avila brandished a firearm and took currency and cigarettes from an employee of the business. Two days later, on May 25, 2024, Avila robbed a second Circle K store in Sorrento, Florida. In that robbery, he again took currency and cigarettes from a store employee.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos.

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.

Updated February 5, 2025