Gonzales man pleads guilty to armed robbery

Published 1:00 am Saturday, May 22, 2021

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Last week, Israel Williams of 42033 Betty St. Gonzales, LA., age 22, pled guilty to Armed Robbery. Williams was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Leila Braswell, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2020 robbery in a Gonzales neighborhood.

On January 26, 2020, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Detectives began investigating a report of an Armed Robbery in the Gonzales area. Detectives learned that the victim made contact with a male subject through a social media source in order to purchase a firearm. The victim met the suspect at a pre-determined location along the street. Upon arriving to this location, the suspect entered the passenger side of the vehicle and brandished a firearm. While holding the victim at gunpoint, the suspect demanded money and drugs to be turned over. The victim relinquished the cash on his person and the suspect fled the area. Detectives were able to identify the individual the social media account was registered to as Israel Williams. Williams was positively identified as the suspect. Detectives secured a warrant of arrest for Williams who was subsequently apprehended and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.

Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charge, pursuant to the plea agreement with prosecutors, Williams was sentenced to 10 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.

Submitted by Public Information Officer Tyler Cavalier for 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky L. Babin.