Gainesville Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery and Brandishing a Firearm

Jacksonville, Florida - Michael Deon Woulard (49, Gainesville) has pleaded guilty to robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. Woulard faces a minimum penalty of 14 years, up to two life terms plus 20 years, in federal prison. His sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to the plea agreement, on October 10, 2023, Woulard robbed a pawn shop in Jacksonville, stealing goods valued at approximately $45,945. On November 25, 2023, Woulard robbed a jewelry store in Jacksonville, during which he brandished a semi-automatic pistol at employees and stole jewelry valued at approximately $352,000.

On February 20, 2024, Woulard robbed a jewelry store in Ocala, during which he again brandished a semi-automatic pistol at employees and stole jewelry valued at approximately $364,000. Woulard was arrested on February 21, 2024, while in possession of numerous stolen items from the third robbery. During an interview with investigators from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Ocala Police Department, Woulard admitted to committing the jewelry store robberies.

Woulard's co-defendant, Erica Jordan Patrick, previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the November 25, 2023, robbery by casing the store and identifying particular items and jewelry cases for Woulard to target.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, the Ocala Police Department, and the Alachua County Sheriff's Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David B. Mesrobian.