He is the last member of a Polk County-based criminal organization to be convicted of conducting armed robberies of other drug dealers.

TAMPA – A federal judge has sentenced a Clearwater man to prison for his part in a gang that committed violent crimes throughout mid-Florida, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Shamar Lajuan Thomas, aka “Baby,” 26, of Clearwater, was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and using or carrying a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. A federal jury found Thomas guilty on Oct. 11. Thomas was the last member of the Polk County-based criminal organization to be convicted of conducting armed robberies of other drug dealers. (Click here for related story.)

According to evidence presented at trial, from at least April 2007 and continuing through July 20, 2017, Marion Dwight, Jr. conspired with Thomas and others to commit multiple armed robberies and burglaries of several local drug dealers. During each of the incidents, they discharged or brandished firearms. To date, the FBI has identified at least 14 armed robberies and four armed burglaries that were committed by Dwight and his co-conspirators.

In June 2016, Thomas and his co-conspirator, Fredrick James Burney, Jr. aka “Frido,” forced their way inside of a home in Lakeland in search of narcotics and cash. While inside, they held a man at gunpoint, shot at a woman, and stole cash and a firearm from them. During the robbery, Thomas physically attacked the woman and repeatedly hit her in the head with his firearm, causing her to bleed profusely.

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