Cherokee County Men Sentenced in Armed Robbery Crime Spree
Posted/updated on: December 10, 2014 at 4:28 pm
TYLER Two Jacksonville men have been sentenced in connection with a violent crime spree targeting area businesses. The sentences were handed down Tuesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider. Jonathan Roshard Brown (pictured), 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. He 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.
Federal prosecutors say, Brown, Johnson, and two others conspired to commit robbery, which unlawfully obstructed, delayed, and affected commerce in violation of federal law. Specifically, officials say, they committed four armed robberies in Jacksonville during a crime spree which began on Oct. 2, 2011, when they reportedly stole $9,465 from the Wal-Mart Supercenter. On Nov. 2, 2012, they robbed the Razorback Grocery on Hwy. 69, according to officials. 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 person 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 victims hand, throat, and shoulder. The victim survived after being airlifted to a Tyler hospital. The robbers obtained an undetermined amount of cash from the victims 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.
