December 9, 2014

Cherokee County Men Sentenced in Armed Robbery Crime Spree

TYLER, TX—Two Jacksonville, Texas men have been sentenced in connection with a violent crime spree targeting area businesses in the Eastern District of Texas announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. The sentences were handed down today by U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider.

Jonathan Roshard Brown, 22, pleaded guilty on May 20, 2014, to interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act conspiracy) and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for the Hobbs Act conviction and 80 months for the firearms conviction.

Michael Dangelio Johnson, 25, pleaded guilty on Feb. 12, 2014 to interfering with interstate commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act conspiracy) and was sentenced to 100 months in federal prison today.

According to information presented in court, Brown, Johnson and two co-defendants conspired to commit robbery, which unlawfully obstructed, delayed and affected commerce in violation of federal law. Specifically, they committed four armed robberies in Jacksonville during a crime spree which began on Oct. 2, 2011 when they stole $9,465 from the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Jacksonville. On Nov. 2, 1012, they robbed the Razorback Grocery on Hwy 69 in Jacksonville. Brown brandished a handgun and demanded money from the owner. Razorback Grocery suffered a loss of approximately $16,000 in cash and $6,900 in Texas lottery tickets. On Nov. 16, 2012, Brown, Johnson and another defendant again robbed the owner of the Razorback Grocery while he was waiting in the commercial drive-thru line at the Austin Bank on West Commerce Street in Jacksonville. During the robbery Brown fired a handgun, striking the victim. The bullet passed through the victim’s hand, throat and shoulder. The victim survived after being airlifted to a Tyler hospital. The defendants obtained an undetermined amount of cash from the victim’s vehicle. The armed robbery resulted in the closure of Razorback Grocery and the temporary closure of Austin Bank. On Nov. 23, 2012, Brown and another person attempted to rob the owner of the Fast Fuel on Hwy 69 in Jacksonville. The owner was able to strike Brown and flee.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence, deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor, and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

This case is being investigated by the FBI East Texas Gang Initiative and the Jacksonville Police Department with assistance from the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Moore.