Armed and masked, they stormed into Gems and Gold Corner Jewelry store on St. Thomas in broad daylight — and for that, Ron Delano Kuntz, 42, Keon Wilson, 22, and Shawn McIntosh, 24, are now staring down decades behind bars. A federal jury convicted all three yesterday following a two-day trial on charges of Hobbs Act Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Hobbs Act Robbery, and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence.
The September 16, 2013, heist unfolded like a script from a crime thriller: Wilson and McIntosh burst into the shop, Wilson flashing a firearm, while Kuntz waited nearby as a lookout, staying in contact with the crew. The robbers snatched merchandise and vanished, leaving behind shattered glass and fear. Evidence at trial revealed Kuntz had bought large hats to help conceal the identities of those entering the store.
Each defendant now faces up to 20 years in prison for the robbery and conspiracy counts — and a mandatory consecutive minimum of seven years for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges carry no room for leniency on the gun count, ensuring that even the youngest of the trio, McIntosh at 24, will serve a substantial sentence.
They aren’t the only ones implicated. Three co-conspirators — Shaquille Correa, 22, Jarmaine Ayala, 36, and Wahilli James, 21 — have already pleaded guilty to conspiracy and related firearm offenses. A seventh defendant remains awaiting trial, still unconvicted but tethered to the same violent plot.
The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Virgin Islands Police Department, peeled back layers of coordination and planning that turned a local jewelry store into a war zone. Cellphone records, surveillance footage, and witness testimony painted a damning picture of premeditation and teamwork in crime.
Assistant United States Attorneys Anna A. Vlasova and Kim L. Chisholm prosecuted the case. All six convicted defendants were remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service immediately after the verdict. Sentencing is scheduled for May 2018. Justice, delayed but not denied.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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