Ville Platte Man Sentenced to 102 Months in Prison for Armed Robbery of St. Landry Parish Convenience Store

LAFAYETTE, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that a Ville Platte man was sentenced Friday to 102 months in prison for the armed robbery of more than $11,000 from a truck stop and a casino in St. Landry Parish.

Ronald James Doomes, 26, of Ville Platte, La., was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote, to 18 months in prison for one count of interference with commerce by robbery and 84 months in prison for one count of use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He was also sentenced to serve five years of supervised release and ordered to pay $2,100 in restitution. A jury convicted Doomes after a four-day trial that ended on July 31, 2014. According to evidence presented at the trial, Arinkskie Tryvon Orlandeze Jones and Dudley Nelson, also of Ville Platte, took part in the armed robbery on April 8, 2011, at the Tiger Trax Truckstop #7 and Video Joker II Casino located in St. Landry Parish. After robbing the truck stop and casino, the defendants left with $11,675 in a white sports utility vehicle.  St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. A high-speed chase ensued, three individuals exited the vehicle in a residential area of Opelousas and fled on foot. Nelson was apprehended. Jones and Doomes turned themselves in to authorities six days later.

After a three-day trial that ended on August 27, 2014, a jury found Jones guilty of one count of interference with commerce by robbery. A sentencing date has not been set. Nelson was sentenced on September 22, 2014 to 105 months in prison for his role in the robbery.

“This robbery placed innocent employees’ and customers’ lives at risk,” Finley stated.  “I hope this case serves to dispel the notion that robbery is a quick and easy way to make money.  If you commit this type of crime, you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

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.