Pasadena Man Convicted of Federal Charges for String of Las Vegas Robberies

A Pasadena man could face life in prison after a jury convicted him and an accomplice last week of a series of federal charges for robbing two Las Vegas-area banks, as well as the same Starbucks coffee shop twice, prosecutors said.

A federal jury in Nevada convicted Shamariae Marshon Jones, 25, of Pasadena Edwin Arnold Jr., 25, of Las Vegas on Friday of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, interference with commerce by robbery, two counts of bank robbery and three counts of brandishing a firearm in a crime of violence, according to the U.S. DOJ District of Nevada. The trial lasted five days.

Arnold was additionally convicted of an additional count of interference with commerce by robbery and another count of brandishing a firearm in a crime of violence, the DOJ said in a written statement.

Both men face a maximum sentence of life in prison when they return to court for sentencing on Aug. 25, officials said.

Jones and Arnold “robbed two banks and a Starbucks coffeehouse between December 2016 and January 2017,” according to the statement. The crimes netted them a total of $14,280.

“During each robbery, Arnold brandished a handgun at employees, demanding money and threatening to shoot if they did not comply,” the statement said. “Jones helped Arnold commit the robberies.”

FBI agents arrested both men on Jan. 26, 2017, at Arnold’s home in Las Vegas shortly after their final heist, officials said.

Investigators from the FBI, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department handled the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by assistant U.S. attorneys Allison Reese and Shaheen Torgoley.