North FL Man Who Robbed Clearwater Gas Station Sentenced: U.S. DOJ

CLEARWATER, FL — A Gainesville man was sentenced to 10 years and six months in federal prison for the November 2023 armed robbery of a Clearwater convenience store, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

Jhakheem Smith, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing and conspiring to rob the store.

He pleaded not guilty to brandishing a firearm during a violent crime and the charge went to trial. He was found guilty of the offense in March, the DOJ said.

The store’s surveillance video showed Smith and his codefendant, Alex Jones, jumping over the counter to confront the victim, the department said.

The video also shows Smith searching the store for a safe, which he thought held more money. The safe was never found.

He’s also seen on video trying to damage the surveillance cameras, according to the DOJ.

Text messages found on Jones’ phone included discussions between him and Smith while planning the robbery.

Jones pleaded guilty to all three charges in the indictment. He was sentenced to 12 years and 11 months in federal prison on Feb. 6.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Clearwater Police Department, the Largo Police Department, and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

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