South Bend Gunman Jiggetts Gets 14 Years

SOUTH BEND, IN – DeVante Jiggetts, 30, is headed to federal prison for a substantial stretch after being sentenced to 168 months – 14 years – for a string of brazen robberies targeting businesses across northern Indiana. United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty handed down the sentence following Jiggetts’ guilty plea to two counts of robbery affecting commerce, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence also includes 3 years of supervised release and a $300 restitution order to the victims.

The crime spree, committed in November and December of 2022, saw Jiggetts and his crew – identified as Treveon Smith and Taibian Harris – hitting multiple cellular telephone stores and a convenience store in LaPorte, Elkhart, and St. Joseph counties. Authorities say the robberies were carried out at gunpoint, terrorizing employees and customers alike. On November 29, 2022, Jiggetts allegedly drove Smith to a South Bend cell phone store for a robbery. When law enforcement moved in to apprehend Jiggetts at a nearby apartment complex, he didn’t hesitate to run – first in his vehicle, then on foot – all while clutching a loaded 9mm handgun.

The recovered firearm proved to be a critical piece of evidence. Jiggetts, already a convicted felon with a 2014 robbery conviction, was prohibited from possessing any firearm. This added charge significantly increased the severity of his sentence. The feds didn’t mess around, and the judge made it clear: armed robbery and illegal gun possession won’t be tolerated. This wasn’t a first offense; it was a calculated escalation of criminal behavior.

Jiggetts isn’t the only one facing consequences. Co-defendant Treveon Smith previously received a 214-month prison sentence, also with 3 years of supervised release, and a $300 restitution order. Taibian Harris received a lighter sentence of 84 months imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release. The collaborative effort to bring these criminals to justice highlights the importance of multi-agency cooperation in tackling violent crime.

The investigation was a joint operation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with crucial support from local law enforcement including the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office, the South Bend Police Department, the Elkhart Police Department, the Michigan City Police Department, and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Katelan McKenzie Doyle prosecuted the case, ensuring a swift and decisive outcome.

This case falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. Launched in 2021, the reinvigorated PSN strategy focuses on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and rigorously measuring results. The goal is simple: make neighborhoods safer for everyone, one conviction at a time. This sentence sends a message – commit these crimes in northern Indiana, and you *will* face federal charges and a long prison term.