Violent armed robbery charge nets 6 time felony $100,000 bond

Charges of armed robbery have landed a six-time felon behind bars on $100,000 bond.

Thomas Joseph Carter, 40, made his initial appearance Wednesday in Comanche County District Court where he received felony charges of first-degree robbery and possession of a firearm after former felony convictions, records indicate. Due to his six convictions, if convicted of the robbery, he faces up to 60 years in prison.

Carter is accused of the March 7 robbery of a man at 2516 SW C. The victim was found with a noticeable bump and cut on top of his head, according to Lawton Police Detective Jeff McCoy. He also had a cut behind his left ear and a swollen left hand.

The man said earlier in the day, Carter demanded $400 he was owed and they got into an argument. Later, a woman came to his home and at one point, she said she had a call from her mom and needed to step outside, he told McCoy. When she returned, Carter, carrying a revolver, and another unidentified man were with her, the probable cause affidavit states. He said they were held at gunpoint and Carter again demanded his money.

The man told Carter he didn’t have the money and, he said, Carter hit him in the head with the gun, the affidavit states. The woman told the other man the wallet was hidden and she didn’t know where it was. Carter is accused of taking the man’s earrings, G Shock watch, cell phone and truck keys before going into another room before leaving, McCoy stated.

A search warrant was executed for an unrelated case where Carter was staying at the Economy Inn, 1122 NW Chace, and a revolver and items taken during the robbery were recovered, according to the affidavit. Two spots of blood were seen on the gun.

During questioning, Carter said he did go to the home on March 7 but that he didn’t hit anyone. He said he didn’t know how blood got on the gun and claimed he didn’t take anything during the incident, the affidavit states.

Carter has prior felony convictions from Comanche County: December 2005, grand larceny; August 2007, receiving/concealing/withholding stolen property, possession of a controlled dangerous drug with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction; November 2019, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle; and July 2021, possession of a controlled dangerous drug with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction.

Carter returns to court at 3:30 p.m. May 27 for his preliminary hearing.