BEAUMONT, Texas — Jefferson County 252nd District Judge Raquel West had some stern words when sentencing a 17-year-old Southeast Texas man to 25 years in prison for aggravated robbery and stealing a vehicle.
Deamonte Antwoan Chopane, 17, was sentenced by Judge West to two years in prison for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, 10 years for evading arrest and 25 years for aggravated robbery.
He had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
"It really kills me what I have to do to you young people," said Judge West.
In court Tuesday, prosecutors described his crimes saying he was burglarizing cars, pulled a gun on a 14-year-old and then bragged about it on social media.
He even taunted his victims on social media according to prosecutors who told Judge West Chopane needed prison time.
During sentencing Tuesday Judge West commented on Chopane's past record noting that he had been on juvenile probation for other crimes and violated his probation at least seven times.
"But we are, in Jefferson County, tired of young people running around here with guns," she told him. "You put a gun to somebody's head."
"We're lucky you haven't killed someone because that's the path you're on. You've had opportunities for probation, but unfortunately that hasn't worked," she told the teen.
Chopane and a 14-year-old were arrested in March 2022 after leading police on a chase in a stolen Dodge Ram pickup truck according to file stories.
When officers tried to stop the truck they said Chopane refused to stop and led them on a lengthy pursuit throughout the city.
He eventually lost control and wrecked at the intersection of Concord Road and Plum Avenue in Beaumont.
Chopane and the 14-year-old passenger both fled from the truck on foot according to police.
A pistol was found inside of the truck that did not belong to the owner.
They were eventually caught and arrested, according to a news release.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.