HARRISBURG, PA—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jesse Brewer, age 40, of Jamaica, New York was convicted late yesterday of interference with commerce by robbery and use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence after a three-day jury trial in Harrisburg before U.S. District Court Judge William W. Caldwell.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the jury returned with the verdict of guilty after approximately two hours deliberation. The charges were the result of a robbery that occurred on July 12, 2012 at White Jewelers in York, PA. Brewer, along with Jamell Smallwood and Timothy Forbes, robbed the store of more than fifty Rolex watches valued at over $500,000. In the course of the robbery, Brewer shot the owner of the store, severely injuring him. Smallwood of Allentown, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty previously and was sentenced to 17 years in prison for his role in the robbery. Forbes of Allentown, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. No sentencing date was set for Brewer.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the York Area Regional Police Department, with assistance from the Allentown and New York Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The maximum penalty under federal law is lifetime imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.