Skip to main content
Press Release

Two Sentenced for Robbing Local Business with a Firearm

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Two local men have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

Matthew Joseph Bryant, 24, and Nathealle Avori Tyrell Jones, 21, each pleaded guilty Jan. 31, 2019, as did and Corey Alexander Newman, 25.  

Today, Senior U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack handed Bryant and Jones each a 33-month sentence for the robbery to be followed by an additional 84 months for the firearms charge which must be served consecutively to the other sentence imposed. Both must also serve five years of supervised release following completion of their sentences.   

Newman is pending his sentencing hearing.

On Aug. 5, 2018, local law enforcement responded to an aggravated robbery at the Texas Food Mart located in the 6100 block of Williams. As officers arrived in the area, they observed a suspect vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle then fled from the officers until crashing into a utility pole.

At that time, Bryant, Jones and Newman fled from the vehicle, but were soon arrested and taken into custody.

Officers searched the vehicle and 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 that two males wearing dark clothing and bandanas covering their faces entered the store. As one male stayed by the front door and pointed a handgun at the clerk, the other male went behind the counter and emptied the cash register into a bag along with cigarettes and flavored cigars. The male then took the clerk’s cellular phone and wallet before leaving the store and driving off in a dark colored sedan.

During the follow-up investigation, law enforcement was able to determine that Bryant was in possession of the firearm and entered the store with another individual while Jones, the getaway driver, and Newman waited outside.

Bryant and Jones have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to 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.

Updated April 8, 2019

Topics
Firearms Offenses
Violent Crime