LAKE CHARLES, La. – Three men who went on a crime spree starting in Madison, Louisiana, through Kentwood, Louisiana and McComb, Mississippi, down to Beaumont, Texas, and ending in Vinton, Louisiana, have been sentenced in federal court, announced the United States Attorney's office. Each defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the defendants.
Evan Aaron Ard, 22, of Hammond, was sentenced to 123 months in prison. Jaylon Deshon Brumfield, 25, of Lake Charles, was sentenced to 120 months in prison. Taurus Terrell Finley, 22, of Hammond, was sentenced to 131 months in prison. Each defendant will also serve 5 years of supervised release following their release from prison.
The three defendants were charged in a Bill of Information with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with a string of robberies that they committed between April 14 and April 27, 2022. During this period of time, Ard, Brumfield, and Finley conspired to take property from multiple businesses and people, including Bordertown Travel and their cashier, by force, threat and violence. Each defendant admitted to using a firearm in the robbery of Bordertown Travel to help them obtain property from them by threat and force. In addition, the three defendants stole multiple vehicles, firearms, property from convenience stores, and robbed individuals at gunpoint along the way.
This crime spree finally ended after the robbery of the store in Vinton, Louisiana after all three defendants attempted to flee from police at high speed in a stolen vehicle. Police employed spikes to stop the vehicle, followed by a foot chase of Ard, Brumfield, and Finley until apprehended by police.
“These three defendants left many victims frightened and scarred by the threats of gun violence and robbery committed against them,” said United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “They had no care of others’ property or life as they made their way across three states committing these robberies. Thanks to the cooperation of many state and local, as well as federal law enforcement agency partners, this crime spree came to an end without the loss of life. I commend the efforts of all those agencies involved in this investigation and we will continue to join together to keep these cold-hearted individuals off of our streets.”
“For twelve days, this trio terrorized victims at multiple gas stations and convenience stores,” said Lyonel Myrthil, Special Agent in Charge of FBI New Orleans. “The FBI appreciates its local and state partners for helping to shorten their crime spree. The FBI is committed to working hard with communities across Louisiana to change this culture of violence.”
The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Casey Richmond.