The man went on a string of robberies in 2019, taking thousands of dollars from the store clerks, according to the Department of Justice.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Gallatin man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for multiple armed robbery and firearm offenses, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.
According to the DOJ, Lazavion Kern, 23, went on a three-week crime spree in 2019, robbing four convenience stores in Gallatin and Portland. He reportedly took thousands of dollars from the clerks of each store. Additionally, Kern pistol-whipped the clerk at the final robbery, seriously injuring him.
Kern was charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery for each of the robberies by a federal grand jury in 2023, as well as two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, the DOJ said in a release.
“Our office is committed to prosecuting violent criminals and to protecting law abiding citizens,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski. “This sentence shows that if you commit a violent crime in our community, we will do whatever it takes to find you and hold you accountable for your actions. We stand with our law enforcement partners across Middle Tennessee to seek justice and keep our communities safe.”
“This sentence should send a clear message that the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to keeping our communities safe,” said Joe Carrico, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “This case was another example of law enforcement agencies coming together to combat violent crime and ensure the streets are rid of such callous criminals.”
According to the DOJ, Kern was aided in each robbery by Antonio Jones, as well as Michael Sanchez Fitts in the third robbery. Fitts pleaded guilty to felonies and was sentenced on May 22, 2023, to 48 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release. Jones was given the same sentence on Oct. 10, the DOJ said.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Gallatin Police Department, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, and the Portland Police Department. Significant assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph P. Montminy and Taylor J. Phillips prosecuted the case.