80-Month Sentence for Man Involved in Robbery, Co-Defendants Sentenced
A man from Long Beach was sentenced Wednesday to six years and eight months in federal prison for his role in a daylight smash-and-grab robbery at a Beverly Hills jewelry store that resulted in the theft of nearly $2.7 million in merchandise.
Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu, who also ordered him to pay $2,674,600 in restitution. Vernon pleaded guilty in August to one count of interference with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act. He has been in custody since September 2022.
“This defendant took part in a blatant assault on a store operating in daylight hours, believing he could rob and intimidate others with impunity,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “Now, he will serve a lengthy sentence in federal prison. Our office and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate these sorts of brazen attacks on our community.”
The robbery occurred on March 22, 2022, at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills. Vernon, wielding heavy tools, smashed display cases while employees were present, instilling fear among those inside the store.
He and his accomplices stole approximately $2,674,600 worth of jewelry, including 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, eight rings, and 20 watches. The group fled the scene on foot, abandoning a Kia vehicle reported stolen days earlier in Long Beach.
According to court documents, Vernon inadvertently left his cell phone at the scene when it fell from his sweatpants during the robbery. Law enforcement later recovered it as evidence.
Two days after the crime, one of Vernon’s accomplices posted photos on Instagram showing stacks of cash alongside a message celebrating his “robbery gang,” prosecutors said.
Co-defendants in the case include Deshon Bell, 22, also of Long Beach, who pleaded guilty in December 2023 and is serving a one-year, one-day sentence. Ladell Tharpe, 39, pleaded guilty in September and is scheduled for sentencing on January 6, 2025.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Beverly Hills Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Kevin B. Reidy handled the prosecution.
