Ville Platte Man Sentenced to 105 Months in Prison for Role in Armed Robbery of a Truck Stop/Casino |
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U.S. Attorney's Office
22 September 2014
LAFAYETTE, LA—A Ville Platte man was sentenced last week to 105 months in prison for participating in the armed robbery of a St. Landry Parish casino and truck stop, U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today.
Dudley Stevens Nelson, 25, of Ville Platte, La., was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, to 21 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and to 84 months in prison for one count of use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, for a total of 105 months in prison. He was also sentenced to serve five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $11,675 in restitution. According to evidence presented at the October 28, 2013 guilty plea, the defendant along with Ville Platte residents Arinskie Tryvon Orlandeze Jones and Ronald James Doomes robbed the Tiger Trax truck stop and casino in Whiteville, La., on April 8, 2011. Nelson admitted to driving the vehicle and knowing beforehand that a gun would be used. After robbing the truck stop and casino, the defendants left with $11,675 in a white sports utility vehicle. Authorities located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Three individuals exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Nelson was apprehended. Jones and Doomes turned themselves in to authorities six days later.
A federal jury found Doomes guilty of one count of armed robbery and one count of use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Doomes’ sentencing is scheduled for November 15, 2014, and he faces a prison term of seven years to life. Jones was found guilty of one count of interference with commerce by robbery on August 27, 2014. He faces 20 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set. They both face five years of supervised release and up to a $250,000 fine.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a Department of Justice initiative designed to reduce firearm crimes by removing dangerous and persistent felons from the community and promote firearm safety. The PSN attorneys prosecute a variety of federal firearms violations listed in Titles 18 and 26 of the U.S. Code, including illegal possession of firearms and commission of crimes with firearms.
The FBI, ATF and the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph T. Mickel prosecuted the case.