CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A North Carolina man who admitted to law enforcement he carried out armed robberies targeting cigarette delivery trucks has learned his federal prison sentence.
The Department of Justice announced Wednesday that 29-year-old Adrian Alexander Bryson, of Newton, will spend more than 10 years in prison for Hobbs Act Robbery and possession and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He will also be subjected to three years of supervised release once he leaves prison.
Court records show Bryson planned and led at least nine robberies on HT Hackney delivery trucks between October and December 2022 as the trucks tried to deliver cartons of cigarettes to convenience stores. Bryson and his co-conspirators either brandished guns to the drivers or acted like they were armed. The group also knew where higher-end tobacco products were found, stealing cartons with the most valuable cigarettes. HT Hackney said more than 1,100 cartons were stolen, with losses nearing $71,000.
Investigators were able to tie a GMC Envoy involved in some of the robberies to an address Bryson lived at. They also learned Bryson used to work as a delivery driver at HT Hackney from May 2022 through September 2022. He reportedly left after being confronted about missing cigarette cartons. Law enforcement also determined the delivery routes Bryson targeted were the same ones he used to deliver on during his time as a driver.
Bryson was arrested in late December 2022 in Hickory at a hotel room where he was staying. Investigators found several containers belonging to HT Hackney in the room, with dates and delivery locations that lined up with some of the robberies. He admitted to his actions, and law enforcement also found text messages and photos on his phone tied to the thefts. Some of the photos included Bryson and his co-conspirators posing with guns matching the ones described as being used in the robberies.
Bryson remains in federal custody and will be transferred to a federal prison once one has been designated for him.