A youth involved in the holdup at Kennedy Jewelers on East Main Street in August 2013 was sentenced to nine years in federal prison on Thursday.
Diontre Danforth, of 1010 N. Larchmont Ave., appeared before Judge Curtis Collier.
He was 18 at the time of the incident in which the robbers fired shots and the owner also got off several shots that caused the robbers to leave without getting any loot.
Danforth was charged with aggravated robbery and criminal conspiracy to commit robbery in Criminal Court, and the case was later taken to Federal Court.
In his plea agreement, Danforth admitted that he and co-defendant Gerald Jackson attempted to rob the jewelry store.
Agents said, "Jackson entered the store wearing a 'Scream' mask. He was armed with an assault rifle, which he immediately used to fire a round towards the back of the store, where multiple employees and a customer were standing. Danforth had followed Jackson into the store with a laundry basket and pillowcase outstretched in his hands, which the two had planned to use to collect the merchandise that they intended to steal. However, before they were able to get any jewelry, one of the store’s managers began firing back at Jackson. Jackson and Danforth then sprinted for their own safety, with Jackson continuing to fire back at the store even after the two were outside. Jackson has also been charged and is in custody pending trial in U.S District Court, Chattanooga."
Danforth was caught a few blocks from the robbery scene.