A federal grand jury has indicted three men in connection with a string of 39 armed robberies over a two-year period in the Lowcountry.
US Attorney Bill Nettles says most of the robberies targeted Asian restaurants in Charleston County. But some of the robberies were also carried out in Walterboro, Holly Hill, and Georgetown.
The indictment names Raynard Eady, Christopher Simmons, and Winard Eady and accuses the three of conspiring to commit armed robbery affecting interstate commerce. All three are also charged with using handguns in the crimes.
The indictment says the armed robberies were carried out between July 2009 and March 2011. Aside from Asian eateries, the trio also allegedly struck loan and check-cashing businesses.
Prosecutors say Simmons and Raynard Eady were arrested in February 2011 and charged with state offenses. Their federal charges remained under wraps until Eady’s brother Winard was arrested last Friday.
If convicted, the three men could go to prison for the rest of their lives.
Sheree Bernardi of Charleston affiliate WTMA contributed to this report
