Two Inland Empire Men Indicted for Alleged Marijuana Dispensary Robbery in Which Firearm Barrel Was Pressed Against Victim’s Head

RIVERSIDE, California - Two Inland Empire men were indicted today by a federal grand jury for allegedly robbing of a San Bernardino marijuana dispensary at gunpoint, a crime in which one of them pressed the barrel of his pistol to the head of a store employee lying face down on the floor.

Tyrie Ravon Contreras, 32, of Barstow, and Kenyon Lamonte Watson, 19, of Perris, are charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, and one count of using of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Contreras also is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

"We must send a message of zero-tolerance for violent gun crime," said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. "Under federal law, we have powerful tools to hold accountable those who use firearms to rob businesses and my office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring gun criminals to justice."

According to the four-count indictment returned today and other court documents, on August 9, three masked suspects robbed a marijuana dispensary in San Bernardino. Contreras and an accomplice - both armed - entered the store's main showroom and ordered three employees behind the counter to the ground. Contreras then climbed over a glass display case and pressed the barrel of his pistol to the head of one of the employees, who at that point was lying on the floor with her face down.

While inside the store, Contreras, Watson, and an accomplice stole cannabis, marijuana products, and approximately $500 in cash, all belonging to the store. The robbers then fled the dispensary, loading the store's safe and stolen merchandise into the back seat of Watson's white BMW sports sedan.

Two weeks later, police arrested Contreras following a home invasion robbery and lengthy vehicle pursuit, which ended with Contreras crashing the victim's stolen vehicle, according to court documents. Contreras fled on foot and tossed a backpack before being apprehended. Police found a .40-caliber firearm in the backpack. Both the firearm and the backpack matched those on surveillance video in Contreras' possession during the August 9 dispensary robbery, as did the trousers Contreras wore during the robbery. Contreras is in state custody.

Contreras is not legally permitted to possess a firearm because his criminal history includes several felony convictions, including one in San Bernardino County Superior Court in June 2018 for second-degree robbery.

Watson was arrested on September 12 and was ordered jailed without bond. Watson's arraignment is scheduled for October 1 in U.S. District Court in Riverside.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted of all charges, each defendant would face a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the San Bernardino Police Department are investigating this matter.

Assistant United States Attorney Peter H. Dahlquist of the Riverside Branch Office is prosecuting this case.

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