Jacksonville, Florida – (December 20, 2024) U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger today sentenced Jameise Vaughn Christian (22, Washington, DC) to 12 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies in New Jersey and Florida, and for brandishing a firearm during the robberies.ÂÂ
According to court documents, Christian and his co-conspirators planned and executed a series of jewelry store robberies in New Jersey, Florida, and the District of Columbia. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, the group targeted predominantly South Asian jewelry stores along the East Coast. Wearing disguises and armed with firearms, they used hammers to smash jewelry display cases and steal valuable items. These stores were specifically chosen because they sold high-purity gold, which yielded higher proceeds when sold for cash.
On October 25, 2022, Christian, along with Trevor Wright, William Hunter, Keith McDuffie, and an unindicted co-conspirator, traveled in two vehicles from Washington, D.C., to a jewelry store in Paterson, New Jersey. Upon arrival, Christian and two accomplices exited their vehicle wearing masks and carrying firearms and a hammer, while the other two remained outside to serve as lookouts. Inside the store, the group used the hammer to smash display cases and brandished a firearm to force employees to lie on the ground. In less than two minutes, the group stole approximately $1.9 million worth of jewelry before fleeing the scene.
Less than two months later, in early December 2022, Christian and his co-conspiratorsâ€â€Trevor Wright, Avery Fuller, Antonio Tate, and Jaylaun Brownâ€â€planned another robbery, this time at a jewelry store in Jacksonville, Florida. To prepare, the group coordinated travel from Washington, D.C., to Miami, Florida, where they rented a black BMW and a white Mercedes. On December 6, 2022, they drove these vehicles to Jacksonville. Upon arrival at the jewelry store, Christian and three others exited the black BMW, entered the store wearing disguises, and brandished firearms. Christian ordered store employees to kneel behind the counter with their heads down while the group used a hammer to smash glass display cases. Meanwhile, two accomplices remained in the white Mercedes to monitor the store’s entrance.
After approximately three minutes, one of the conspirators exited the store and drove the black BMW directly in front of the store, honking the horn to signal the others to exit. Before leaving, Christian approached the store employees kneeling in the corner, pointed his firearm, and stole the store owner’s wallet. The group then loaded the stolen jewelry into the trunk of the black BMW and fled the scene, with the white Mercedes traveling in the same direction. The group stole approximately $880,000 in jewelry from the jewelry store.
Due to the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, this complex investigation resulted in the identification of these six individuals. They were eventually traced back to Miami and observed on surveillance at a Miami condominium, where they were seen exiting their vehicles unmasked and carrying the stolen jewelry.
To date, all individuals involved in the Jacksonville and New Jersey robberies have been arrested and face pending federal cases in Jacksonville and Washington, D.C. In Jacksonville, Delontae Martin and Antonio Tate pled guilty to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the Jacksonville robbery. Martin was sentenced to 108 months’ imprisonment, and Tate was sentenced to 120 months. Avery Fuller pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robberies in Jacksonville and New Jersey and to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of the robberies. He faces a minimum of seven years, up to life, in federal prison. Trevor Wright and Jaylaun Brown are in custody and awaiting trial in Washington, D.C., for robbery and firearm offenses.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Miami Police Department and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kirwinn Mike.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
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