LAKE CHARLES, LA – Three men involved in a crime spree across multiple states have been sentenced in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. Each defendant pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge James D. Cain, Jr. sentenced the defendants as follows:
- Evan Aaron Ard, 22, of Hammond: 123 months in prison
- Jaylon Deshon Brumfield, 25, of Lake Charles: 120 months in prison
- Taurus Terrell Finley, 22, of Hammond: 131 months in prison
Each defendant will also serve five years of supervised release following their prison terms.
The three men were charged in connection with a string of robberies committed between April 14, 2022, and April 27, 2022, spanning from Madison, Louisiana, through Kentwood, Louisiana, McComb, Mississippi, Beaumont, Texas, and concluding in Vinton, Louisiana. They conspired to rob multiple businesses and individuals, including Bordertown Travel, using force, threats, and violence. They admitted to using firearms during the robbery of Bordertown Travel to coerce property from the cashier and also stole vehicles, firearms, and property from convenience stores, and robbed individuals at gunpoint.
The crime spree ended after the robbery in Vinton, Louisiana, where the three attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle. Police deployed spikes, leading to a high-speed chase and subsequent foot pursuit, resulting in the arrest of Ard, Brumfield, and Finley.
U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown commented on the impact of their actions: “These three defendants left many victims frightened and scarred by the threats of gun violence and robbery committed against them. They had no care of others’ property or life as they made their way across three states committing these robberies. Thanks to the cooperation of many state and local, as well as federal law enforcement agency partners, this crime spree came to an end without the loss of life. I commend the efforts of all those agencies involved in this investigation and we will continue to join together to keep these cold-hearted individuals off of our streets.”
