The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office announced on May 4 it had secured jury verdicts against a gang member in a robbery case.

Johnny Lamar Payton, 33, a Kumi 415 gang member, was convicted of robbery and arson along with co-defendant Jeffrey Jenkins, 22.

Payton, on Sept. 6, 2011, drove Jenkins to his former place of employment, Ashley Furniture in Rohnert Park.  Payton, familiar with the bank deposit procedures, knew the store’s financial manager would be making a cash deposit of money earned during the busy Labor Day weekend.  As Jenkins stood outside the doors, Payton drove around the corner and parked the car. 

When the manager exited the store, he told the manager to give him the money so she “wouldn’t get hurt.” 

He then took her purse and ran to the awaiting vehicle where Payton drove them away.  The two accomplices then purchased lighter fluid and drove to the area of Olive Park in Santa Rosa, where they used the lighter fluid to burn the remaining contents of the purse.

Payton and Jenkins are scheduled for sentencing on June 26 before Superior Court Judge Dana Simonds. A hearing later next week will determine if Payton has three prior strike convictions for prior offenses, which allegedly includes rape, criminal threats and assault with a firearm.

Rohnert Park Dept. of Public Safety Detectives Phil Lamaison and Patrick Fahy were the lead detectives in this case.