One More Man Sentenced to 87 Months in Prison for His Role in the Gems and Gold Corner Jewelry Store Armed Robbery

St. Thomas, USVI – Wahilli Nasco James, 23, of St. Croix, was sentenced today for his role in the armed robbery of the Gems and Gold Corner jewelry store, located on the St. Thomas waterfront, United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced. "The flagrant actions of gun-toting robbers will not be tolerated in the Territory," said U.S. Attorney Shappert. "In the United States Attorney’s Office, our primary focus is public safety. We intend to target violent criminals for federal prosecution. Today’s sentence is the result of constructive relationships between law-abiding citizens, hard-working law enforcement officers, and dedicated federal prosecutors."

District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez sentenced James to 87 months in prison for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and five years of supervised release. Judge Gomez ordered James to pay a $100 special assessment, and perform 400 hours of community service. Judge Gomez also ordered James to pay restitution in the amount of $31,027.81 to Gems and Gold Corner and $130,322.12 to Dorchester Insurance.

On January 19, 2018, James pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm during the September 16, 2013, Hobbs Act robbery of Gems and Gold Corner Jewelry Store on St. Thomas. As a part of his plea agreement, James admitted that he and others committed a Hobbs Act robbery of the jewelry store and brandished weapons to threaten and intimidate store employees.

This case is a result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virgin Islands Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim L. Chisholm.