JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger today sentenced Jameise Vaughn Christian (22, Washington, DC) to 12 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies in New Jersey and Florida, as well as for brandishing a firearm during the robberies.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
According to court documents, Christian and his co-conspirators planned and executed a series of jewelry store robberies in New Jersey, Florida, and the District of Columbia. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, the group targeted predominantly South Asian jewelry stores along the East Coast.
Wearing disguises and armed with firearms, they used hammers to smash jewelry display cases and steal valuable items. These stores were specifically chosen because they sold high-purity gold, which yielded higher proceeds when sold for cash.
There are two planned robberies that Christian is being charged for:
- October 2022
- Occurred in Patterson, New Jersey.
- Joined by Trevor Wright, William Hunter, Keith McDuffie, and an unindicted co-conspirator.
- Stole approximately $1.9 Million
- December 2022
- Occurred in Jacksonville, Florida.
- Joined by Trevor Wright, Avery Fuller, Antonio Tate, and Jaylaun Brown.
- Stole approximately $880,000.
After a thorough investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies, the 6 individuals were identified via local surveillance in Miami, Florida.
To date, all individuals involved in the Jacksonville and New Jersey robberies have been arrested and face pending federal cases in Jacksonville and Washington, D.C.
In Jacksonville, Delontae Martin and Antonio Tate pled guilty to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the Jacksonville robbery. Martin was sentenced to 108 months' imprisonment, and Tate was sentenced to 120 months.
Avery Fuller pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robberies in Jacksonville and New Jersey and to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the robberies. He faces a minimum of seven years, up to life, in federal prison. Trevor Wright and Jaylaun Brown are in custody and awaiting trial in Washington, D.C., for robbery and firearm offenses.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
