Two men from Beaumont, Texas, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a robbery at a local grocery store. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.
Johnaton Rechard Hite, 22, received a sentence of 108 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to Hobbs Act robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Cody Lane Wilson, 28, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison following his guilty plea to Hobbs Act robbery. Both sentences were handed down by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on May 13, 2025.
Court documents reveal that the incident occurred on April 11, 2024, when law enforcement responded to an armed robbery report at Kidd Grocery Store on Kidd Road in Beaumont. The store clerk reported that an individual armed with an AR-15 style rifle threatened him and demanded access to the safe before stealing approximately $1,340 in cash.
Surveillance footage showed the robber as a black male wearing distinctive clothing including a wig and mismatched shoes. Deputies stopped a vehicle leaving the scene and identified Wilson as the driver. A search of his car revealed items matching those seen on surveillance footage.
Wilson admitted that he had planned the robbery with Hite but fled out of fear during its execution. Hite was later found hiding nearby with the stolen cash.
The case falls under Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime. It involved resources from various Department of Justice initiatives including OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Quinn prosecuted the case.