ST. THOMAS — U.S. District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez on Wednesday sentenced two men for their roles in the robbery of two St. Thomas jewelry stores that involved the use of firearms, Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett announced.
Turrel Thomas, 21, of St. Kitts, was sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Raheem Miller, a/k/a “Caesar,” 24, of St. Thomas, was sentenced to nine years and 11 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Gomez also ordered Thomas and Miller to perform 400 hours of community service each, and pay a special assessment of $200 and $300, respectively.
On February 21, 2017, Thomas pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a federal crime of violence. On the same day, Miller pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to the plea agreements, Thomas and Miller conspired with others to rob Signature Jewelers on August 19, 2015, and 3G’s Jewelry and Repair on September 14, 2015. During both robberies, weapons were brandished and the robbers used duct tape to bind and gag victims before fleeing the store with cash and merchandise.
On June 29, 2017, Judge Gomez sentenced another member of the conspiracy, Aracelis N. Ayala a/k/a “Gordita” a/k/a “Fluff,” 34, to 11 years’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release. On February 23, 2017, a federal jury found Ayala guilty of one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of robbery in the first degree.
This case is a result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virgin Islands Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Anna A. Vlasova and Sigrid Tejo-Sprotte.
Feature Image: Picture of a federal prison.
Tags: 21, 24, a/k/a “Caesar, of St. Kitts, of St. Thomas, Raheem Miller, Turrel Thomas
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