FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2019
COVINGTON—District Attorney Warren Montgomery announces that Jonathan J. Gabriel, 42, of Slidell, pleaded guilty Tuesday (May 21) to two counts of armed robbery with a firearm and theft of a motor vehicle for robbing two elderly men last December.
District Judge Scott Gardner sentenced Gabriel to 38 years without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence on each armed robbery charge and five years for the vehicle theft. All sentences are to be served at the same time.
The first robbery occurred on Dec. 13, 2018, when Gabriel, wearing a mask, entered the trailer of a 75-year-old man in Lacombe, pointed a gun at him, and demanded money and guns. Gabriel pushed the victim into his bedroom and took cash, pills, and a 22-caliber revolver.
A couple of hours later, Gabriel knocked on the apartment door of a 92-year-old man, a World War II veteran, in Slidell. Gabriel pushed the gun into the victim’s stomach and escorted him through the apartment in search of valuables. Gabriel took prescription pills, cash, a watch, cell phone, and the victim’s vehicle before fleeing from the residence.
An investigation by the Slidell Police Department identified Gabriel as a suspect, and when officers searched Gabriel’s residence under a search warrant, they found items belonging to both victims. Slidell Police then notified the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Gabriel ultimately gave a statement, admitting to the robberies. He claimed he was under the influence of drugs.
Assistant District Attorney Jay Adair, who prosecuted the case, had selected a jury for Gabriel’s trial, which was set to begin Tuesday, when Gabriel pleaded guilty. The 75-year-old victim passed away prior to trial, but the 92-year-old veteran was present for the guilty plea and was happy with the outcome.