Events & AwardsDec 20, 2024
Two Participants Complete Inaugural Ella Klein InternshipJamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
CrimeOct 14, 2020
Member of Gang That Targeted Traveling Salespeople in Texas Sentenced
Robert Riveros got 22 years behind bars after pleading guilty to robbery and weapons charges.
Dallas—One member of a five-person gang that was targeting traveling jewelry salespeople in Texas a few years ago was sentenced in federal court last week.
U.S. District Judge David Godbey sentenced 35-year-old Robert Riveros to 22 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to robbery and firearms charges.
According to the superseding indictment in the case, filed in October 2016, Riveros and four other Colombians discussed and planned the robberies of three traveling jewelry salespeople.
The robberies took place in April and June of 2016 in Garland, Arlington and Euless, Texas.
In the Euless robbery, the salesman, 42-year-old Muhammed Shaikh, lost his life.
According to the indictment, Shaikh was in the convenience store of a gas station near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport when Riveros and three of the other suspects—Johnnattan Ramirez, Pedro Louis Alvarez and Eslevy Vargas-Avila—smashed in his rental car’s back window with a gun, reached in and grabbed a case of jewelry.
Shaikh ran from the store and jumped into the window of Ramirez’s car in an attempt to retrieve the jewelry.
According to the indictment, Ramirez “drove his vehicle in a manner intended to dislodge [Shaikh],” striking other cars in the process, but ended up speeding away from the scene with the salesman half hanging out of the window.
The four robbers drove to an apartment complex in nearby Irving, Texas, where they beat and kicked Shaikh in order to keep the case of jewelry, which, the indictment states, “contributed to his death.”
Riveros pleaded guilty to: conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, two counts of interference with commerce by robbery, and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Two counts from the original indictment and two counts from the superseding indictment were dismissed as part of his plea deal.
Ramirez, Alvarez, and Vargas-Avila also faced robbery and weapons charges, as did the fifth suspect, Catherine Contreras-Beltran.
Ramirez, Vargas-Avila, and Contreras-Beltran were rounded up in Colombia between December 2016 and February 2017 and, like Riveros, extradited to the United States.
The FBI and the DFW International Airport Department of Public Safety arrested Alvarez in New York City in June 2016.
In September 2019, the first of the five suspects was sentenced, court records show.
Contreras-Beltran got 13 1/2 years in prison.
Ramirez was sentenced to 25 years in prison in March, and Alvarez, who was sentenced in January, got 15 years. Alvarez’s sentence will run consecutively to any sentence imposed in a separate criminal case he is facing in Queens, New York, court records show.
Vargas-Avila is scheduled for sentencing next week, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas said.
Ramirez was sentenced to 25 years in prison in March, and Alvarez, who was sentenced in January, got 15 years. Alvarez’s sentence will run consecutively to any sentence imposed in a separate criminal case he is facing in Queens, New York, court records show.
Vargas-Avila is scheduled for sentencing next week, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas said.
More on Crime
The Latest
CollectionsDec 20, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Ring for CharityIn the spirit of giving, Retrouvaí will donate $4,000 from the sale of this ring to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
IndependentsDec 19, 2024
Michigan’s DeVries Jewelers Unveils New Location in Time for the HolidaysCo-owner Dan DeVries shared what it’s like moving into a space triple the size of its old store and how it feels to be a “real jeweler” now.
Brought to you by
De Beers Group Launches Holiday Campaign for Natural Diamonds‘Forever Present’ campaign revives the iconic A Diamond is Forever tagline and celebrates the diamond dream.
CollectionsDec 19, 2024
State Property Transforms Spain’s Generalife Gardens into JewelryAlong with the latest “Gardens” collection, the brand has released limited-edition designs offering more indulgent pieces.
Weekly QuizDec 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingDec 19, 2024
The Second-Largest Diamond Ever Found Now Has a Name The 2,488-carat diamond recovered from a mine in Botswana has been dubbed “Motswedi” while its 1,094-carat sibling is “Seriti.”
SourcingDec 19, 2024
Gemfields Reports Record Ruby Auction Results Despite Challenges at SourceThe average price per carat hit a record high for the miner, which said it remains unaffected by the conflict in Mozambique.
Brought to you by
Advocacy and Excellence: How Jewelers of America Is Committed to Elevating Our Industry For over a century, Jewelers of America has been the voice of the industry and valuable resource to jewelers across the country.
AuctionsDec 18, 2024
Alexandrite Ring Sells for Record-Setting $1.9M at Sotheby’sThe nearly 17-carat stone made history for the color-change gem that, according to the auction house, is experiencing a “notable surge” in the market.
WatchesDec 18, 2024
Historic Titanic Pocket Watch Winds Its Way Back to Tiffany & Co. More than a century after survivors gifted a Tiffany timepiece to the captain of the ship that rescued them, the jeweler has reclaimed it.
TechnologyDec 18, 2024
Picchiotti Utilizes AI in ‘Spotlight’ Video CampaignThe videos highlight how pieces from the “Xpandable” and “Reversible Xpandable” collections put the wearer in the spotlight.
IndependentsDec 18, 2024
Industry Veteran Steve Feldman Set to RetireFeldman reflected on 45 years in the jewelry industry and clarified that it’s not a total retirement.
Events & AwardsDec 17, 2024
Chanel to Receive Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceThe luxury brand is being honored for excellence in high jewelry design in its “Haute Joaillerie Sport” collection.
SourcingDec 17, 2024
Frank Circelli, Founder of Gem Shopping Network, Dies at 75Circelli was a pioneer in the world of TV shopping who is remembered for his passion for gemstones and his big personality.
AuctionsDec 17, 2024
Blue Diamond Fetches $8.8M at Christie’sThe nearly 6-carat stone headlined the recent jewelry auction, which also featured Mica Ertegun’s jewelry.
TrendsDec 16, 2024
Marion Fasel’s New Book Delves Into the History of Engagement Rings“The History of Diamond Engagement Rings: A True Romance” is a 128-page small-format book containing more than 165 images.
WatchesDec 16, 2024
Take a Look Inside the New Rolex Boutique on Rodeo DriveGearys opened a 6,200-square-foot Rolex store with a design that pays homage to the brand’s connection to the ocean.
GradingDec 16, 2024
GCAL By Sarine Expands 8X to 2 More Fancy Shapes The diamond cut grade is now available for marquise- and pear-shaped diamonds.
SourcingDec 16, 2024
Diamonds Do Good Announces 2025 Award RecipientsDDG said the honorees’ business practices embody a commitment to positive social impact, industry innovation, and community empowerment.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Selena Gomez Said ‘Forever Begins Now’ to Marquise Diamond Engagement RingEstimates on the size and value of the solitaire diamond, which is mounted on a diamond pavé-set yellow gold band, vary.
TrendsDec 13, 2024
Piece of the Week: Martin Katz’s Tanzanite Drops These half-moon tanzanite earrings totaling 25 carats are part of a special trunk show taking place this weekend in Dallas.
Recorded WebinarsDec 13, 2024
Watch: The Highs and Lows of 2024The National Jeweler editors recap the top news, the best jewels, and their favorite stories of the year.
AuctionsDec 12, 2024
Tom Brady’s Watches Top $4M at Sotheby’s AuctionThe highest-grossing lot of the sale was the retired QB’s Rolex Paul Newman Daytona “John Player Special.”
SourcingDec 12, 2024
Grizzly Emerald Auction Garners $22.4MRecent expansion initiatives at the Zambian emerald mine have shown strong production numbers, said Grizzly founder Abdoulaye Ndiaye.
MajorsDec 12, 2024
Mark Henry Appoints New Director of SalesCarrie Forman joins the brand to guide it into the next phase of growth with major and independent retailers in the U.S. and abroad.
SourcingDec 12, 2024
De Beers Announces 2024 ‘Shining Light’ Award WinnersThe competition awarded 12 designers, each from a country where De Beers recovers diamonds, with business support and tuition assistance.
CollectionsDec 12, 2024
The Jared Atelier x Vera Wang Collection Emphasizes EleganceThe high jewelry collection features 14 one-of-a-kind pieces, with serpent and ribbon motifs winding their way through the collection.
