WARREN ROBINS, GA — Treviyon Marquisette Oates, 21, was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday following his conviction for armed robbery and firearm possession related to a violent incident on Valentine’s Day 2024.
The Houston County jury found Oates guilty after a two-day trial in Superior Court, deliberating for about an hour before reaching their verdict. Senior Judge F. Gates Peed handed down a life sentence on the armed robbery charge, with an additional five years for possession of a firearm during the felony.
The charges stem from a February 14, 2024, robbery on Virginia Dare Drive. Prosecutors said Oates orchestrated the robbery under the pretense of purchasing marijuana. After pretending to leave the scene for money, Oates and his accomplices returned. During the confrontation, Oates entered the home before gunfire erupted, injuring the victim multiple times.
Along with the victim being shot, the suspects stole marijuana, an AR-15 rifle, and a PlayStation 5. As the group fled, they fired shots at a friend of the victim who arrived at the scene but fortunately escaped unharmed. The victim survived after surgery and later identified Oates from a photo lineup.
Authorities issued a lookout for Oates’ vehicle. Four days later, police attempted to stop the vehicle in Centerville. After a chase, the vehicle crashed, and Oates fled on foot but was quickly apprehended. A firearm recovered from the vehicle matched shell casings found at the robbery site, confirmed through Georgia Bureau of Investigation testing.
Assistant District Attorney Justin Duane prosecuted the case with assistance from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, and GBI.
Duane commented, “Although the victim was involved in illegal activities, I’m thankful for the jury’s verdict. This case was a near double homicide, highlighting the dangers of armed robberies.”
Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards added, “This case reminds us how quickly robberies can escalate to deadly violence, endangering victims and innocent neighbors alike.”
