Final Men Sentenced for Robbing Local Business With a Firearm
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Two Corpus Christi men have been ordered to federal prison after admitting to robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.
Corey Alexander Newman, 26, pleaded guilty Jan. 31, while Francisco Chavera, 22, pleaded guilty July 8. Both admitted to their participation in a robbery at the Texas Food Mart in the 6100 block of Williams Aug. 5, 2018, along with Matthew Joseph Bryant, 25, and Nathealle Avori Tyrell Jones, 22, both of Corpus Christi.
Today, Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack handed Chavera a 30-month sentence for the robbery. He also received an additional 84 months for the firearms charge which must be served consecutively to the other sentence imposed. The sentences will be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. Newman received a 10-month sentence for the robbery and an additional and consecutive 36 months for the firearms charge. The sentences will be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. In handing down the sentences, the court noted the dangerousness of the offense and the need to protect the public.
Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack previously sentenced Bryant and Jones each to a total of 114 months in prison as well as five years of supervised release following completion of their sentences.
Officers responded to the aggravated robbery and observed a vehicle matching the reported description of the suspects’ vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle fled until crashing into a utility pole, at which time all four occupants ran. After a short foot pursuit, authorities arrested all four individuals.
At that time, law enforcement searched the vehicle and the surrounding area and discovered U.S. currency, convenience store items, cigarettes, disposable gloves and a loaded handgun with an extended magazine.
Surveillance footage at the location showed two males wearing dark clothing and bandanas covering their faces had entered the store. As one male, who was later identified as Bryant, stayed by the front door and pointed a handgun at the clerk. The other male, later confirmed to be Chavera, went behind the counter and emptied the cash register into a bag along with cigarettes and flavored cigars. Both men then took the clerk’s cellular phone and wallet before leaving the store and fleeing in a dark colored sedan Jones was driving.
Newman and Chavera have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lance Watt is prosecuting the case.
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