Firm Judge Sets Precedent with Teenage Shoplifting Case

Last week, a Texas judge delivered a stern verdict, sentencing a teenage shoplifter to 25 years behind bars.

Port Arthur resident, Caden Fontenette, 18, admitted to committing aggravated robbery after a violent incident at Bulldog Convenience Store in Nederland on October 10. His admission of guilt came without the cushion of a plea bargain.

The brutal event, recorded on surveillance footage, depicted Fontenette along with two minors assaulting the store clerk while wielding an assault-style weapon, as detailed by prosecutors.

On March 10, Judge Raquel West justified her decision by emphasizing the severity of the crime.

“Mr. Fontenette, there was a time not too long ago when youthful offenders were often given probation. Everyone deserved a second chance. But the landscape has shifted dramatically, with young individuals engaging in actions as dangerous as what I witnessed on that video,” she remarked, as reported by KDFM.

“I cannot fathom the terror experienced by the store employee. Someone simply trying to earn a living and return home safely,” she added.

‘He has three people come in and not just grab a quick something and run out, but terrorize him for quite some time – pulling him around, yanking him around, putting guns in his face. All three of you.’ 

The judge also noted that Fontenette has been fighting and ‘jumping people’ while in prison. 

Judge Raquel West sentenced Caden Fontenette, 18, of Port Arthur, Texas, to 25 years in prison last week for an aggravated robbery

Fontenette had pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, but his plea was not part of any deal

‘So it makes it very difficult for me to go, “This is somebody that’s going to get out and behave, who can follow the rules,” because you can’t even follow the rules in jail.

‘The pre-sentence report shows you’re at a high-risk level. That tells me that after they looked at everything, that you don’t unfortunately have a good likelihood of being successful if I were to put you on probation.’

As she then ruled that Fontenette would be sentenced to 25 years in prison, a family member started shouting in the back of the courtroom, and bailiffs quickly escorted the family members out.

Once the family members were clear, Judge West concluded her sentencing.

‘Mr Fontenette, I understand that this is harsh, and I know you believe that this is harsh, but I think that this is necessary,’ she said.

‘You’re still going to be young and you can make your life better,’ the judge continued. ‘That’s going to be up to you.’

West’s sentence came after lead prosecutor Tommy Coleman made an impassioned plea, recounting the chaotic shooting and other violent crimes that have plagued the community.

He said they have seen such violence in the community ‘all too often.’ 

Fontenette will now have to serve at least half of the sentence before he is eligible for parole, as he used a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime

The attack of a clerk at Bulldog Convenience Store in Nederland on October 10 was caught on camera, showing Fontenette and two juveniles attacking the clerk while brandishing an assault-style weapon early that morning

‘Prayer vigils and advisory committees, all that stuff is fine, but you, Judge, are where the rubber meets the road,’ Coleman said.

‘You are that person who can protect the community from somebody like the defendant. You are that person that can either let him out of this courtroom on probation with a piece of paper and conditions and promises that he won’t resort to this kind of violence that you saw on that video, or you can ensure that the community is safe by putting him behind steel bars, concrete walls, a razor wire fence.

‘Judge, I’m not in the habit of begging, but on behalf of the community, I’m begging that you sentence this defendant to prison,’ he pleaded. 

‘The message that needs to be sent to this defendant and his circle of friends and anybody who would want to be like this defendant, is that if you pick up a gun with the intent to commit violence, you’re going to pick up a 15, 20, 25-year prison sentence.

‘Judge, I’m asking that you do this on behalf of the people who just want to live in peace. People who just want to go take a walk at Rogers Park and not be robbed, and somebody that wants to stop at the Speedy Mart convenience store and pick up some snacks, without becoming the victim of a robbery,’ he concluded.

The judge ultimately concurred with Coleman, telling Fontenette: ‘We’re tired of it and there’s got to be something done.’

Fontenette will now have to serve at least half of the sentence before he is eligible for parole, as he used a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime.