Ajani Plante, 26, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court on St. Croix to one count of interference with commerce by robbery and to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, acting U.S. Attorney Joycelyn Hewlett announced.
According to the plea agreement filed with the court, on June 17, 2013, Plante, while aided and abetted by others, entered Perfection Gift Shop to rob the store. Plante and the other individuals had 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, they ran out of the store, got into a vehicle behind the shopping center, and left the scene.
Plante faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 on the robbery count and a mandatory seven years and a $250,000 fine on the gun charge. A sentencing date has been set for July 20.
The case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rhonda Williams-Henry.
