Alonda Bryant, Armed Robbery, Ohio 2021

A Cleveland woman has been sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for her role in an armed robbery at a Rally’s restaurant in Elyria, Ohio.

According to court documents, on June 11, 2019, James A. Jackson, armed with a box-cutter, and DeMario J. Horton, armed with a firearm, entered the restaurant at approximately 2:45 a.m. and forced the store manager and other employees into a supply closet while they committed the robbery.

Alonda Bryant, 24, of Cleveland, pleaded guilty to attempted interference with commerce by means of robbery in April 2021. She was sentenced by Judge Dan Aaron Polster on November 1, 2021, to 24 months imprisonment.

Previously sentenced in this matter were James A. Jackson, 29, of Cleveland, to 130 months imprisonment and DeMario J. Horton, 32, of Cleveland, to 120 months. Jackson pleaded guilty to attempted interference with commerce by means of robbery, using or carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in November 2020. Horton pleaded guilty to attempted interference with commerce by means of robbery, using or carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in February 2020.

The investigation revealed that Bryant had listed co-defendant DeMario Horton as her spouse and emergency contact on her employment application. After fleeing the scene, Bryant placed a diversionary call to 911 for a location approximately a half-mile away in an attempt to obstruct police. However, police dispatch determined that the call actually came from the location of the Rally’s restaurant.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Elyria Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Margaret A. Kane and Bryson N. Gillard.

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