Interstate Robbery Crew Sentenced to Federal Prison After Attempted Armed Jewelry Store Heist in Dunwoody

Four convicted felons, each on probation or parole, were sentenced to federal prison after their involvement in an attempted armed smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in Dunwoody, Georgia. The robbery was part of a larger series of planned heists orchestrated by Deuntria Lyons, a prison inmate serving six life sentences at Valdosta State Prison for planning previous robberies.

“These defendants posed a significant threat to public safety when they terrorized innocent victims during their crime spree,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “The successful prosecutions of these armed career criminals resulted from the tenacious and collaborative work of our federal and state law enforcement partners who disrupted the defendants’ violent activities and helped to prevent them from targeting other members of our communities.”

“These defendants clearly showed no regard for the law as they continued their crimes even while on parole. All four were willing to put innocent civilians at risk during the commission of these armed robberies and it is fortunate no one was hurt because of their selfish desire for wealth,” said Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Hopefully this federal sentence will send the message that the FBI will not tolerate the behavior of repeat violent offenders.”

The investigation began in July 2023 when FBI agents started tracking a series of jewelry store robberies in the southeastern United States. Their investigation revealed that Lyons was directing the robberies from behind bars, using phone calls and text messages to communicate with his associates. Through intercepted communications, agents learned that Lyons had planned a robbery at a jewelry store in Dunwoody, Georgia, which was scheduled for December 2023.

According to the investigation, Lyons communicated with his associates—including Melvin Asbury, Mark Oliver, Jamaury Marshall, and Santino Parks—detailing the robbery plan. The group intended for two robbers to enter the store armed with handguns while a third waited in a getaway car. On December 1, 2023, FBI agents and Georgia State Patrol officers observed the suspects in the area and arrested them just before they could carry out the robbery.

At the scene, agents recovered critical evidence, including masks, gloves, trash bags, two sledgehammers, two loaded Glock pistols, and a high-capacity magazine, all of which were seized from the getaway car. Asbury, Marshall, Parks, and Oliver were arrested for their involvement in the robbery attempt. A fifth suspect, Asbury’s accomplice, was arrested separately in another vehicle.

The defendants were all on probation or parole for violent crimes at the time of their arrests. Asbury, 39, had been granted parole in 2022 after serving nearly 17 years of a 20-year sentence for armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent offenses. Marshall, 29, was on probation for prior convictions for burglary, aggravated assault, and weapons possession. Parks, 29, had been on probation for robbery, aggravated battery, and burglary. Oliver, 23, was on probation after serving time for robbery and violence-related charges.

U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen sentenced the defendants as follows:

• Melvin Asbury, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 5 years, 3 months in prison for attempting to rob the jewelry store under the Hobbs Act. He will also serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.
• Jamaury Marshall, 29, of Johns Creek, Georgia, was sentenced to 8 years, 4 months in prison for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. After his prison sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release.
• Mark Anthony Oliver, 23, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 5 years, 3 months in prison for his role in the attempted Hobbs Act robbery. He will also serve three years of supervised release following his sentence.
• Santino Demarco Parks, 29, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, attempted robbery, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. He will serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.

The charges stemmed from their roles in planning and preparing for the robbery as well as their possession of firearms, despite being prohibited due to prior felony convictions. The investigation highlighted the violent and reckless behavior of the defendants, whose actions could have led to serious harm or death had the robbery been carried out.

The successful disruption of their violent activities prevented further harm to innocent civilians and stopped them from targeting additional communities. FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke emphasized that the sentences sent a clear message that repeat violent offenders would be held accountable.

This case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Theodore S. Hertzberg and Leanne M. Marek. The defendants’ convictions reflect the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in combating violent crime and dismantling criminal networks operating across state lines.