Woman Sentenced For Commercial Robberies & Weapon Offense

NEW BERN - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced NICOLE ESTELLA JONES, 21, to 192 months imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

On March 11, 2013 a Complaint was filed charging JONES with one count of conspiracy to rob a business engaged in interstate commerce in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1951; and one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924c(1)(A) and 2.  On June 14, 2013 JONES pled guilty to these charges.

The investigation revealed that on April 14, 2011, JONES, along with co-conspirators entered the Exxon Gas Station located at 1200 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh and robbed the business.  During the robbery a clerk and customer were physically assaulted by the robbers.  Later that same day, JONES, along with her co-conspirators robbed the McDonald’s restaurant located at 5016 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh.  Next, on April 22, 2011, JONES, along with co-conspirators robbed the Hampton Inn located at 1001 Wake Towne Road, in Raleigh of US currency. Later that same evening, JONES and her co-conspirators, robbed the Courtyard Marriott located at 3908 Arrow Drive, in Raleigh of US currency and an employee’s laptop computer.  On April 27, 2011, JONES and her co-conspirators robbed the Wingate Inn located at 2610 Westinghouse Blvd, Raleigh.  JONES returned to California a few days after this robbery.  A firearm was used during all of these robberies.  On March 11, 2013, JONES was arrested by federal authorities in Hemet, California and was transported back to North Carolina for sentencing.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives-Raleigh, the Raleigh Police Department, and the City-County Bureau of Identification. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan A. Ontjes prosecuted the case for the government.