Westland man pleads guilty for involvement in armed robbery of Albion hydroponics store, authorities say

(WWJ) - A Westland man pleaded guilty after being charged with the robbery of an Albion garden store, according to authorities.

On Friday it was announced that 27-year-old Andrew Curtis Williams pleaded guilty for his role in an armed robbery at Albion Hydroponics in February 2020, a press release from U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Tottens’ Office said.

“This crime was brazen and incredibly dangerous,” Totten said. “No business owner or employee should fear violence at work. Accountability for these crimes will be swift and serious.”

Authorities say that Williams pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm while committing the robbery as well as a separate offense of conspiring to rob the location.

Williams was at the store while his co-defendant, 28-year-old Kyle Lynn Carson, of Jackson, “used a firearm to strike the victim of the robbery with a gun,” the press release said. Carson has also pleaded guilty and is waiting to be sentenced.

Williams and Carson were both indicted in March 2023. Both were charged with conspiracy to obstruct interstate justice. Williams was also charged with interference with interstate commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the press release said.

Authorities said Carson pleaded guilty in September 2023. He also “admitted that he helped Williams scout the hydroponics store before the robbery, then took custody of a van containing the stolen property and attempted to hide it from police after the robbery.”

“During this incident, Williams idly stood by while he and his partner in crime used illegal firearms to beat and intimidate a member of our community with the intent to rob the business,” ATF Special Agent in Charge James Deir said . “Every business owner and their employees deserve to go to work in peace without the threat of gun violence. In the end, Williams’ poor choices have consequences. In short, if you choose to use an illegal firearm to threaten and/or beat members of our community – you should choose to pack a bag because you’ll be going to prison. Our community demands better from its members, and it is safer with both men off the streets.”

Williams’ sentencing date has not been set, but the press release said he faces a minimum sentence of seven years up to a maximum of life in prison.