NEDERLAND, TX – A brazen attempt to rob a Nederland convenience store has landed a Jefferson County couple in federal prison. Cole Ethan Schroeder, 21, of Beaumont, and Carley Melana Fowler, 21, of Nederland, learned their fate this week, facing years behind bars for the September 2, 2024, incident at a Citgo Food Mart.
According to court documents, the pair entered the store masked, with Fowler strategically blocking the door with an object to impede its closure. While Fowler held open a bag, Schroeder brandished an AR-style rifle and demanded money from the store employee. The situation quickly escalated into a violent struggle, with Schroeder repeatedly striking the employee with the rifle, inflicting injuries. Despite the aggression, the couple failed to obtain any cash and fled the scene.
Law enforcement swiftly apprehended Schroeder and Fowler at a nearby RV park. The incident caught on surveillance footage provided damning evidence. U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone handed down a hefty sentence to Schroeder on May 21, 2025: 114 months in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Fowler, who pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act robbery, received a 63-month sentence on July 29, 2025.
“This case demonstrates the seriousness with which federal authorities treat armed robberies and violent crime,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs. “The use of a firearm during the commission of this crime significantly increased the severity of the sentences handed down.” The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nederland Police Department.
The prosecution was handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman. This case is also part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and protecting communities from violent criminals. The operation leverages resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
While the couple’s attempt at a quick score failed, it has resulted in a long stay in federal prison, sending a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated in Southeast Texas. The injured store employee is reportedly recovering, but the trauma of the attack will likely linger. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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