INDIANAPOLIS- Laurens Jean-Francois, 23, of Haiti, has been sentenced to 17 years and 10 months, followed by three years of supervised release. In June 2026, a federal jury found Jean-Francois guilty of two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. Jean-Francois will be subject to removal from the United States upon release from federal prison. According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Jean-Francois committed two armed robberies in Indianapolis over a three‑day period in July 2025.

On July 19, a Domino’s Pizza delivery driver arrived at the Scarborough Lake Apartments to deliver an order. As the victim knocked on the apartment door, Jean‑Francois approached from a stairwell holding a USDS multi-caliber AR‑15 style pistol. He demanded the driver’s wallet, cell phone, and food order before telling him to run. The victim later provided police with a description of the suspect, and the robbery was captured by external surveillance cameras.

Three days later, on July 22, Jean‑Francois entered the Xpress Pantry on North High School Road wearing a ski mask, clear latex gloves, and dark clothing. After initially asking a clerk to retrieve a phone charger kept in a locked display, Jean-Francois brandished the same AR-15 style pistol used in the previous robbery, demanding cash from the register.

IMPD officers arrested Jean‑Francois on July 29, 2025, during a traffic stop of a Ford Fusion in which he was a passenger. Officers observed the AR-15 style pistol in plain view, leaning against the rear driver’s side door. Jean‑Francois was also wearing the same ski mask worn in the Xpress Pantry robbery.

Further investigation revealed he was unlawfully and illegally present in the United States, and had been at the time that he committed the armed robberies.

“Jean‑Francois has no regard for the law, as shown by these violent crimes and his status as an illegal alien. In armed robberies committed just seventy‑two hours apart, he terrorized innocent victims who were simply doing their jobs,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This is exactly the type of case the Department of Justice is focused on to rid our streets of the most dangerous, brazen criminals.”

“Pointing an AR‑15 at someone to steal from them isn’t just a crime - it’s an act of violence that puts innocent lives at risk. This criminal made that choice twice in three days,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “If you threaten our communities with violence, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will find you, we will stop you, and we will ensure you’re held accountable.”

The FBI Indianapolis Field Office and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigated this case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys, Matt Barloh and Michelle P. Brady for their work on this case.