Defendant Sentenced to More Than 12 Years’ Imprisonment for Armed Robbery of Brooklyn Heights Jewelry Store

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Lashawn Williams, also known as “Ron Johnson,” was sentenced to 147 months’ imprisonment for his role in the May 25, 2017 armed robbery of a jewelry store on Court Street in Brooklyn.  The Court also ordered Williams to pay $95,000 in restitution.  Williams pleaded guilty in September 2018 to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.  The sentencing proceeding was held before United States District Court Judge Brian M. Cogan.  Previously, Williams’s co-defendants Darryl Odom, Kenneth Davis and Shaka Davis were sentenced to 171, 165 and 54 months’ imprisonment, respectively, following their guilty pleas.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John B. Devito, Special Agent-in-Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division (ATF), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

On May 25, 2017, at 5:15 p.m., Williams, armed with a firearm, entered the Court Street jewelry store with Odom and a co-conspirator, while Kenneth Davis stood lookout outside and Shaka Davis waited in a getaway car a few blocks away.  To shield their identities and avoid notice by passersby, the defendants disguised themselves in construction-workers gear, including neon vests, hardhats, gloves and dust masks.  Inside the store, the defendants beat the store owner, pistol-whipping, punching and kicking him.  They then stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry, and fled the scene.  When subsequently tracked down and arrested, law enforcement agents and officers seized several pieces of the stolen jewelry.

“Defendant Lashawn Williams and his co-defendants have now been held accountable for the brutal armed robbery of a jewelry store in busy downtown Brooklyn that not only severely injured the store owner but also endangered the customers and passersby,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  Mr. Donoghue expressed his grateful appreciation to the law enforcement agents and officers for their work in this case.

“Lashawn Williams and his codefendants committed a brazen armed robbery that endangered innocent lives and left a store owner severely injured and traumatized,” stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge DeVito.  “Williams is yet another example of the type of violent individuals that presents a clear and present danger to the law abiding citizens in the community. ATF and our NYPD partners in the Joint Robbery Task Force stand committed to protecting the public from individuals like Williams;  that spread fear and perpetuate violence within the community.  I would like to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their leadership and proactive support in furtherance of this investigation.”

Assistant United States Attorney Josh Hafetz is in charge of the prosecution. 

The Defendant Sentenced Today:

LASHAWN WILLIAMS (aka “Ron Johnson”)
Age: 50
Bronx, New York

Defendants Previously Sentenced:

DARRYL ODOM
Age:  55
New York,  New York

KENNETH DAVIS
Age: 54
Brooklyn, New York

SHAKA DAVIS
Age: 30
Brooklyn, NY, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-432 (S-1) (BMC)