CHRISTIANSTED – A St. Croix man who admitted to an armed jewelry store robbery, gun-butting a jewelry store guard in the head and illegal gun charges over a two year period was given 15 years in prison by a federal judge.
Visiting Judge Anne Thompson sentenced Ajani “Jahno” Plante, 28, to a total of 180 months in prison for firearms and robbery offenses, and three years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
Judge Thompson also ordered Plante to pay special assessments and restitution to the victims.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, Plante was one of several persons involved in the June 17, 2013 Perfection Gift Shop robbery.
Plante and others arrived with guns drawn, and one of the robbers hit the store security person in the head with the gun, injuring him.
Plante and the other robbers went behind the counter and removed several trays of gold jewelry. After the robbery, the assailants ran out of the store, got into a vehicle behind the shopping center, and left the scene.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) .
It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
Judge Thompson also sentenced Plante for a separate episode during which he possessed a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on December 4, 2015, Plante was a passenger in a vehicle being chased by the police.
The vehicle stopped and Plante exited the rear passenger door. He then pointed a rifle at the police and discharged several rounds, one of which struck the police unit. Plante re-entered the vehicle and the driver drove
away, thereby avoiding arrest.
That case was also investigated by the FBI and the VIPD.
It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alphonso Andrews.