De Aundre Devoy Jones, Armed Robbery, Texas 2023

A Houston man has been charged in a nine-count federal indictment for multiple robberies and related firearms offenses, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

De Aundre Devoy Jones, 33, is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho on November 7 at 10 a.m.

The indictment alleges that between January 26-30, Jones and others conspired to rob several Houston-area businesses, including the Supreme Smoke Vape shop located at 11460 Fuqua Street in Houston, two Vape City locations in Houston, and Texas Rock and Roll, a vape shop located on 1960 Road West in Houston.

The group allegedly worked together, aiding and abetting one another during the robberies, brandishing firearms at the store clerks and demanding cash from the registers.

If convicted, Jones faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each robbery count, as well as a mandatory minimum of seven years per count for aiding and abetting brandishing a firearm during the robberies, which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

The charges could also result in a possible $250,000 maximum fine on each count.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Houston Police Department, and Harris County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation, while Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/houston-man-charged-armed-robbery-multiple-smoke-shops