Houston Robber Gets 10-Year Sentence After High-Stakes Heist on ATM Technician in North Texas
Elaborate Scheme Targets Technician in Broad Daylight
A Houston man has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison for his role in a calculated and violent robbery that targeted an unsuspecting ATM technician in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The crime, which unfolded over the course of a day in multiple cities, led to the theft of nearly a quarter of a million dollars.
Johnny Juwan Clark, 33, admitted to his role in the robbery and received a 120-month prison sentence after entering a guilty plea to federal robbery charges earlier this year. At the time of the incident, Clark was already under supervised release from a previous robbery conviction.
A Pattern of Criminal Activity
Clark was a known member of a Houston-based group called the “Hiram Clarke Money Team,” which authorities have identified as a crew that routinely travels across Texas to carry out “jugging” robberies. These crimes typically involve tracking individuals engaged in bank-related activities—especially those withdrawing or transporting large sums of money—and then ambushing them at vulnerable moments.
Robbery Spans Multiple Cities in a Single Day
On July 3, 2024, Clark and three associates—Corey Dashun Holloway, Tierra Toneisha Brandyberg, and Roosevelt Ford Valentine—rented a vehicle and drove from Houston to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. There, they began following an ATM technician as he went about his daily route servicing machines in several cities including Irving, Grand Prairie, Arlington, and Midlothian.
Later that evening, as the technician worked on an ATM at a Chase Bank in Midlothian, Clark—disguised with a hoodie and a face covering—sneaked up behind the technician. He forced the man to the ground and pressed his fist against the back of the technician’s head to restrain him. Meanwhile, Holloway and Valentine accessed the machine and took approximately $248,000 in cash.
Getaway and Luxury Splurge
Following the robbery, the group fled to a nearby apartment complex where they transferred the stolen money into a Range Rover and began their journey back to Houston. According to court documents, Clark and Brandyberg used some of the stolen funds to purchase a luxury Mercedes-Benz and high-end jewelry.
Sentencing and Upcoming Trials
Clark’s sentence includes 96 months for the robbery and an additional 24 months for violating the terms of his release from a prior conviction. He will serve his sentence in federal custody.
Brandyberg, who also pleaded guilty, is awaiting sentencing. Holloway has expressed an intent to plead guilty and is scheduled for re-arraignment in August. Valentine’s trial is currently scheduled for September.
Community on Alert
The case highlights the growing trend of jugging-style robberies and the risks faced by those working in high-cash environments. Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate and track down similar operations, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and security measures for both financial institutions and the technicians who support them.