Former Broken Arrow Football Star Sentenced To Federal Prison

A former Broken Arrow football star is going to federal prison for armed robbery.

Thursday, December 20th 2018, 1:03 pm

By: Richard Clark

Former Broken Arrow Football Star Sentenced To Federal Prison

A former Broken Arrow High School football star is going to federal prison for armed robbery.

A federal judge sentenced Devon Deshon Thomas, 23, to 13 years in prison. The prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release.

In September, Thomas pleaded guilty to robbing the QuikTrip at 3502 West Kenosha Street on May 30, 2018. Prosecutors say Thomas and another man used air-powered pistols to rob the store, getting away with almost $300.

Police and the FBI linked Thomas to the car used in the crime. A search warrant turned up two air-propelled handguns that resembled actual firearms, as well as the clothes and masks matching descriptions of those used in the crime.

Prosecutors say surveillance video from a nearby Walmart showed Thomas and the other man shoplifting the air-propelled handguns shortly before the robbery.

Federal prosecutors used the Hobbs Act, which targets violent criminals who affect interstate commerce, to go after Thomas.

“Thomas showed a complete disregard for the safety of the QuikTrip employees. He has a history of violence and intimidation. Over the past three years, he amassed four firearms and robbery arrests prior to committing the offense in this case. Thomas is the 'alpha criminal' we aim to keep off the streets through Project Safe Neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.

U.S. Marshals arrested Thomas at a residence in Louisiana. They say he pulled a large knife as officers arrested him.

Thomas was convicted in Tulsa County in 2016 for multiple robberies and as part of the sentence was granted a one-year judicial review. His sentence was later modified to eight years supervised release during the review. Thomas was released in August 2017 and within ten months was arrested for the QuikTrip robbery, prosecutors say.

In 2015, Thomas told News On 6 he was being framed.

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