Lake Charles, Louisiana - A federal judge has handed down sentences to four Houston men for their involvement in the robbery of a Lake Charles jewelry store in 2020. Phaezon Stewart, Joshua Evans, Cary S. Nimmons, Jr., and Johnson Moore pleaded guilty to interference with commerce by robbery and were sentenced by United States District Judge James D. Cain, Jr.

On June 8, 2020, Stewart and his accomplices traveled from Houston to Lake Charles with the intention of committing a robbery. Stewart entered Nederland Jewelers armed with a handgun and ordered employees to get on the ground. Evans and another individual, Terry, wore masks and used hammers to break display cases and steal over 34 Rolex watches valued at over $350,000.

The group then fled the scene in a white Porsche, which was tracked by law enforcement to the L'Auberge Casino. There, they met with Nimmons and Moore, who were driving a Chevrolet Impala. The stolen watches were transferred to the Impala, and the group attempted to flee the area. However, officers were able to track them down and arrest all four men, as well as Terry, who was hiding in a shed with the stolen watches.

Stewart was sentenced to 151 months (12 years, 7 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Evans received a sentence of 137 months (11 years, 5 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Nimmons was sentenced to 105 months (8 years, 9 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Moore received a sentence of 135 months (11 years, 2 months) in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

Terry, a co-conspirator in the case, is scheduled to be sentenced on October 10, 2024, for his involvement in the robbery, as well as the robbery of Korman Fine Jewelry in Austin, Texas on May 7, 2020.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lake Charles Police Department, and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Vermaelen.