A Michigan man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday morning to robbing a Fayetteville diamond store in 2008 and taking nearly $300,000 in jewelry.
Jason Warren Stallcup, 40, of 1435 S. Cedar St. in Owosso, Mich., was to be tried starting Monday in U.S. District Court but opted to accept a deal with prosecutors and change his plea.
Stallcup robbed the Romance Diamond Co., 248 W. Dickson St., on Dec. 15, 2008.
Sentencing for Stallcup will come at a later date, after a pre-sentencing report is completed by the federal probation office.
Stallcup entered the business about 10:30 a.m. the day of the robbery carrying a large green gift bag, according to police. He reportedly pulled a gun from the bag and demanded two employees fill the bag with jewelry, including diamond rings and emeralds. Stallcup tied the employees' wrists and ankles with zip ties.
Police said Stallcup then pointed a gun at a customer and bound his ankles with zip ties.
As he left the store, Stallcup reportedly grabbed several inexpensive watches.
Investigators used video surveillance to obtain a description of Stallcup, along with the 2001 Chrysler Sebring he was last seen driving.
On Dec. 30, 2008, Fayetteville police were notified by the Williamston Police Department in Michigan to be on the lookout for Stallcup. He had been identified as a person of interest in an arson investigation there and was believed to have family in the Fayetteville area.
Police located Stallcup’s father’s house on Peach Street in Fayetteville and contacted the owner of the 2001 Chrysler Sebring, who said Stallcup was making payments on the vehicle.
Detectives reportedly used an online database to identify a pawn shop in Charleston, S.C., where Stallcup sold several stolen diamonds and watches.
On Jan. 2, 2009, two Romance Diamond employees and a customer identified Stallcup in a photo lineup as the man from the 2008 robbery.
On Jan. 5, 2009, Stallcup was stopped in Michigan, he had a loaded .22 caliber pistol and zip ties in the trunk of his car. Stallcup was arrested and told police he used the gun in the Fayetteville robbery.
After pleading guilty to a gun charge in Michigan, Stallcup was extradited to Arkansas to face charges.
The case was transferred to federal court because of Stallcup’s extensive, and sometimes violent criminal history and because the jewelry had travelled in interstate commerce, according to Chreea Booher, deputy Washington County prosecutor. Stallcup also faced more prison time in the federal system.
Dustin Roberts, assistant U.S. Attorney, prosecuted the case against Stallcup.