A Las Vegas man with a history of felony convictions has been sentenced to 26 years in prison after carrying out armed robberies at two jewelry stores and assaulting a federal officer while in detention. The charges stem from incidents that occurred in December 2016, according to details released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.
Wyatt Scott Peterson, 42, pleaded guilty to several charges including commerce by robbery and possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. On December 12, 2016, he entered EZ Pawn in Las Vegas, brandishing a 9mm semi-automatic handgun to abruptly demand keys to a jewelry case. A week later, he targeted Super Pawn, making off with various jewelry items valued at over $20,000. according to the Department of Justice.
Peterson's criminal record includes identity theft and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, among other prior felony convictions. Due to these prior convictions, he is prohibited by law from possessing any firearms. Despite this, Peterson violently assaulted a detention officer while he was in custody awaiting trail for the robbery charges, by beginning to punch the officer in a stairwell altercation.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans of the FBI Las Vegas Division. The FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are acknowledged to have conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jim Fang is credited with prosecuting the cases. Peterson is now required to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
