HOUSTON – A federal judged handed down two of the longest prison sentences ever in Houston to two men convicted of multiple violent cellphone and jewelry store robberies in the Houston area.
Clarence Buck, 33, of Humble, received 153 years and Kendall Allen, 24, of New Orleans, received 119 years in federal prison.
The men's sentences were high because U.S. law requires minimum mandatory sentences in weapons cases. The law also requires sentences, in some cases, to be served back to back, rather than at the same time.
Prosecutors proved that Buck and Allen planned and robbed T-Mobile stores using an AR-15 assault rifle, sometimes placing it against customers' heads. During the robberies, prosecutors showed that the two stole nearly 750 phones worth nearly $350,000. Buck also orchestrated a violent jewelry store robbery at the Houston Bargain Center.
A jury convicted Buck and Allen on multiple charges, including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and five counts each of aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Buck was also convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm as well as an additional count of aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery and an additional count of aiding and abetting using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The duo, along with other people who previously pleaded guilty, robbed T-Mobile stores in late 2012 at 10961 North Freeway, 5819 Gulf Freeway, 8498 Sam Houston Parkway and 2902 North Shepherd.
Buck assembled another crew and targeted the Houston Bargain Center at 10022 Homestead Road, prosecutors proved in court. Buck waited outside, while nine masked men armed with an AR-15 assault rifle entered the store and forced employees and customers to the ground. The robbers broke more than 15 glass display cases with hammers and removed the jewelry inside them.
Investigators served a search warrant on Nov. 28, 2012, at Buck's home in Humble and found stolen jewelry, more than $29,000 in cash and the AR-15 rifle used by Allen in the robbery.
Several others defendants did not take their cases to trial and pleaded guilty. They include Deandre White, 23, Michael George, 34, Russell Parker, 42, Shelton Watterson, 29, Danny Moore, 49, Son-Tanna Hewitt, 29, and Donald Holmes, 46, all of Houston; and Zeeshan Yasin, 24, and Rafey Khan, 25, of Karachi, Pakistan, who was living in Houston.
Agencies that worked the case include the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Houston Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
An affidavit filed in Harris County District Court, and reviewed by Channel 2 Investigates, says Kendall Allen killed a man during a robbery the day before Christmas in 2012. Read the court document here.
Several people claim that they watched Allen commit the murder or heard a detailed account of the murder from Allen. One person said Allen killed the victim after Allen told the victim to get on the ground and the victim did not comply. Allen supposedly shot him with a shotgun.
If you have a tip about this case or a story idea, email or text investigative reporter Jace Larson at jlarson@kprc.com or 832-493-3951.