Houston Man Gets 7 Years for Armed Robbery After Victoria Supermarket Heist

A 28-year-old Houston man, Jordan Javon Ashton, has been sentenced to 84 months (7 years) in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release, for armed robbery and felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei made the announcement following Ashton’s conviction by a jury on February 20.

During the sentencing hearing, the robbery victim testified about the lasting fear, nightmares, poor appetite, and anxiety experienced since the incident. The owner of the stolen truck used in the robbery also described his family’s fear and his son’s sadness over stolen toys.

The crime occurred on October 31, 2023, when Latrayveon McNeal, 27, and Jerrell Potts, 25, both of Houston, robbed the Morelos Supermercados in Victoria. They used a stolen vehicle, gun, and license plates. Wearing masks and armed, they entered the store, threatened employees at the Barri money services counter, and stole U.S. currency and cashed checks.

The men fled in a stolen white truck and met up with Ashton, who was armed and waiting. Ashton then drove them from the scene, leaving the truck idling in the middle of the road.

The jury was presented with extensive evidence, including photographs and surveillance video from the supermarket, the weapons used in the crime, and excerpts of 911 calls from that day. It was also revealed that Ashton had a prior felony conviction and was on parole when he committed this crime. The defense’s claim that Ashton withdrew from the conspiracy was rejected by the jury, which found him guilty as charged.

Ashton will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. His co-conspirators, McNeal and Potts, previously pleaded guilty for their roles and each received 87 months in federal prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation, with assistance from the Victoria Police Department, Victoria County Sheriff’s Office, and Victoria County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patti Hubert Booth prosecuted the case.