The leader of a multi-state jewelry theft ring, Deuntria Lamar Lyons, 45, from Valdosta, Georgia, pleaded guilty mid-trial to federal charges related to a series of armed robberies. The announcement was made by Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, alongside Reid Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina.
Lyons’ trial began on March 2, 2026. After two days of testimony before U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell, Lyons admitted guilt without a plea agreement to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery.
His co-conspirators, Brandane Smith and Alzaah Wade, had previously entered guilty pleas for their roles in the conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing.
“Robberies at gunpoint like Lyons and his crew carried out are terrifying,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson. “Armed with guns and sledgehammers, they stormed jewelry stores, threatened employees, and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in merchandise. We will do all that is necessary to put an end to these actions, and I am glad Mr. Lyons pled guilty before wasting more of the jury’s time.”
“After only a few days of trial, Mr. Lyons dramatically changed his tune and admitted his part in a multi-state violent jewelry theft ring. Despite the group’s use of heavy disguises and smash and grab tactics, the FBI and multiple field offices, local, state partners, and prosecutors identified them, uncovered their elaborate theft ring, and stopped them as they attempted to rob another store. While the criminals used hammers to break the jewelry displays, it is clearly the FBI who crushed violent crime in this case,” said Special Agent in Charge Davis.
Court records indicate that on July 11, 2023 at FINK’s Jewelry in Huntersville three masked individuals carrying handguns forced employees at gunpoint into one area while breaking display cases with sledgehammers; approximately $500K worth of diamonds and watches were stolen during this incident before suspects fled.
Investigators connected this group to similar armed robberies across South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. According to authorities Lyon was responsible for organizing these crimes with Wade Smith and others.
Law enforcement prevented another planned robbery on December 1 2023 when FBI agents in Atlanta along with local police intercepted Lyons’ crew as they arrived at a targeted location in Dunwoody Georgia equipped with gloves masks firearms and sledgehammers.
Following his guilty plea Lyons was taken into federal custody; he faces up to 20 years imprisonment for each charge but has not yet been scheduled for sentencing.
The investigation was led by FBI Charlotte office with support from other regional field offices as well as several local law enforcement agencies including Huntersville Police Department Raleigh Police Department Greenville County Sheriff’s Office Mount Pleasant Police Department Brentwood Police Department Mt Juliet Police Department Georgia State Patrol Georgia Department of Corrections Atlanta Police Department Dunwoody Police Department Gwinnet County Police Department Cherokee Sheriff’s Office among others.
Prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.
