Former Rome businessman Mario Armas, who has already been sentenced on federal drug trafficking and money laundering charges, has been indicted in Floyd County Superior Court in connection with a 2004 robbery of a Stonebrook Drive home.
Armas is charged with two counts of armed robbery and four counts of aggravated assault. Click here to see a PDF of the indictment.
Armas is currently serving a 15-year federal prison sentence after being convicted for his role in a drug trafficking and money-laundering ring.
According to police reports, the home invasion was committed by Omar Lee and Carlos Jackson. However, government witnesses — including Armas himself in testimony given in federal court — stated that he orchestrated the attack.
During Armas’ trial in federal court last year, prosecution witness Jimmy Collins told the court Armas came up with the idea for the burglary and attempted to find “professionals” to do the job.
Collins recommended Jackson, he said in court, and the robbery went ahead.
In previous court cases it was stated that Armas believed $7 million to $9 million in cash was stored in the home, and he planned to recoup earlier losses from his investments in drug smuggling.
The indictment states that guns, a diamond ring valued at $2,900, two televisions, a laptop computer and an undisclosed amount of money was taken from the residence.
His arraignment is scheduled for June 25 in front of Judge J. Bryant Durham.
District Attorney Leigh Patterson said in a prepared statement issued Friday that the indictment was delayed because of the prolonged federal trial involving Armas and his co-conspirators.
She also said the extent of his alleged participation in the incident was only recently revealed in federal court.
Click here for background information about the case, including a timeline with links to previous stories and a list of court documents.
