Tampa, Florida- United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury has found Shamar Lajuan Thomas, a/k/a “Baby," (26, Clearwater) guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and using or carrying a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. Thomas faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2019. Thomas was the last member of a Polk County-based criminal organization to be convicted of conducting armed robberies of other drug dealers. He was indicted on April 10, 2018.
According to evidence presented at trial, from at least April 2007, and continuing through July 20, 2017, Marion Dwight, Jr. conspired with Thomas and others to commit multiple armed robberies and burglaries of several local drug dealers. During each of the robberies and burglaries, they discharged or brandished firearms. To date, the FBI has identified at least 14 armed robberies and 4 armed burglaries that were committed by Dwight and his coconspirators.
In June 2016, Thomas and his coconspirator, Fredrick James Burney, Jr. a/k/a “Frido," forced their way inside a home in Lakeland in search of narcotics and cash. While inside, they held a male victim at gunpoint, and shot at a female victim. Thomas physically attacked the woman and repeatedly hit her in the head with his firearm, causing her to bleed profusely. Thomas and his Burney stole cash and a firearm from the victims.
Seven others have pleaded guilty, and each faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, as noted below:
Name
Age, Residence
Status
Marion Dwight, Jr.
a/k/a “Woe,"
a/k/a “Woe Money"
31, Lakeland
Pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit robbery, 2 counts of robbery, and 2 counts of discharging and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 35 years in federal prison, and up to life imprisonment.
Sentencing scheduled for Nov. 15, 2018.
Bradney Henry McGary
32, Lakeland
Pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, 1 count of conspiracy to commit robbery, 2 counts of robbery, and 1 count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years in federal prison, and up life imprisonment.
Sentencing scheduled for Oct. 17, 2018.
Michael James Baker,
a/k/a “Bake,"
a/k/a “Maserati"
35, Clearwater
Pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit robbery, 2 counts of robbery, and 2 counts of brandishing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 32 years in federal prison, and up to life imprisonment.
Sentencing scheduled for March 15, 2019.
Fredrick James Burney, Jr.,
a/k/a “Frido"
a/k/a “Free"
28, Clearwater
Pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit robbery, 2 counts of robbery, and 2 counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 35 years in federal prison, and up to life imprisonment.
Sherrod Raeshad Gordon,
a/k/a “Hott"
32, Tampa
Pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit robbery, 2 counts of robbery, and 2 counts of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 35 years in federal prison, and up to life imprisonment.
Sentencing scheduled for Jan. 11, 2019.
Antonio Marquis Roddy,
a/k/a “Lil Head"
31, Orlando
Pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit robbery, 2 counts of robbery, and 2 counts of discharging and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 35 years in federal prison, up to life imprisonment.
Sentencing scheduled for Jan. 11, 2019.
Jevin Michael Stone
30, Lakeland
Pleaded guilty to 1 count of conspiracy to commit robbery, 2 counts of robbery, and 2 counts of discharging and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 35 years in federal prison, and up to life imprisonment.
Sentencing scheduled for Jan. 11, 2019.
Shamar Lajuan Thomas was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Lisa M. Thelwell and James Muench. This case was investigated by the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
