NEDERLAND, TX – A brazen attempt to rob a Nederland Citgo Food Mart turned violent, and now, Cole Ethan Schroeder, 21, of Beaumont, and Carley Melana Fowler, 21, of Nederland, are paying the price. Both were sentenced to significant federal prison terms this week, the result of a swift investigation and prosecution by federal authorities.
According to court documents, on September 2, 2024, Schroeder and Fowler entered the convenience store masked, intending to steal. Fowler strategically blocked the door with an object, preventing it from closing while she held open a bag. Schroeder then escalated the situation, brandishing an AR-style rifle and demanding money from a store employee. The situation quickly devolved into a physical altercation.
The employee didn’t comply easily. A struggle ensued, and Schroeder violently struck the employee multiple times with the rifle, inflicting injuries. Despite the assault, the couple failed to obtain any money and fled the scene. Fortunately, law enforcement quickly located and apprehended Schroeder and Fowler at a nearby RV park. The entire ordeal was captured on the store’s surveillance system, providing damning evidence for prosecutors.
U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone handed down the sentences on May 21, 2025, and July 29, 2025, respectively. Schroeder, convicted of Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, received a total of 114 months in federal prison. Fowler, found guilty of Hobbs Act robbery, was sentenced to 63 months. These sentences send a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated in Eastern Texas.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs emphasized that this case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative aimed at dismantling cartels, transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent offenders. The operation leverages resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) to streamline efforts and maximize impact.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nederland Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman prosecuted the case, securing convictions and ensuring the perpetrators faced justice for their violent actions. The victim’s condition post-attack remains undisclosed, but the sentences hopefully offer some measure of closure.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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