JACKSON, Missouri – A woman from Missouri has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for her involvement in a robbery that resulted in the deaths of three people. Jamison Layne Townsend, 42, was found guilty of assisting her co-defendant, Joshua Michael Garcia, who discharged a firearm during the robbery on December 17, 2016, at Bill’s Coin & Jewelry.
Court documents revealed that Townsend and Garcia entered Bill’s Coin & Jewelry with the intention of robbing the business. During the robbery, Garcia fatally shot the owner and two co-workers. The two individuals then proceeded to steal various items from the store and later pawned some of the stolen items in Alabama.
The pair was caught by law enforcement after a high-speed chase on Interstate 24 in a red Dodge Charger. When the Charger was searched, numerous stolen items from Bill’s, including coins, watches, trays of jewelry, and firearms, were recovered. The murder weapon, a Les Baer .45 caliber handgun, was also found in the vehicle.
Townsend pleaded guilty to three counts of accessory after the fact on September 18, 2023. Garcia had previously pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm during the robbery, resulting in the murder of three individuals. He was sentenced to three life sentences.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department, with assistance from various other law enforcement agencies. It was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Erin Chalk.
Townsend’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences of being an accessory to violent crimes, and the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in solving such cases. The tragic incident at Bill’s Coin & Jewelry has left a lasting impact on the victims’ families and the community.