Crime

St. Croix Man Facing 20 Years In Federal Prison For Perfection Jewelry Store Robbery And Related Charges

ST. CROIX -- Ajani Plante, 26, pleaded guilty today in federal court on St. Croix to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, Acting United States Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett announced. Last week, Senior District Court Judge Raymond Finch sentenced Ketisha Iles, 25, to 70 months in prison for conspiracy to interfere and interference with commerce by robbery, in connection with the same heist. According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on June 17, 2013, Plante, while aided and abetted by others, entered Perfection Gift Shop to rob the store. Plante and the other individuals had guns drawn and one of the robbers hit the store security person in the head with the gun, injuring him. Plante and the other robbers went behind the counter and removed several trays of gold jewelry. After the robbery, they ran out of the store, got into a vehicle behind the shopping center, and left the scene. Plan...