Round Rock Man Who Hung Out With Celebrities Charged With Jewelry Store Heists

ROUND ROCK, TX — A Round Rock man described by a local newspaper as having shared red carpets with celebrities and driven Bentleys is now on trial on charges of orchestrating several jewelry store robberies.

Marvis Lewis, 40, is in U.S. District Court where he stands accused by local and federal investigators of recruiting an accomplice to steal diamonds, rings and watches from several stores in Austin and Houston during the years 2014 and 2015, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Lewis is further charged with orchestrating another jewelry store heist in Ohio, netting $548,000 in ill-gotten gains.

Lewis was arrested in February 2016 and subsequently charged with 16 felony counts, including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by threats of violence, money laundering and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, the newspaper reported. He faces a minimum sentence of 82 years in prison if found guilty on all charges, according to the report.

The trial in U.S. Judge Lee Yeakel's courtroom is expected to take up to two weeks. Lewis is reportedly representing himself in the case, telling the jury he is innocent was already wealthy thus eliminating the incentive of thievery, according to the report.

His Instagram account dubbed 02beauxta attests to his opulence and extravagant lifestyle, with photos of him at Oscar and Emmy award show parties, and taking selfies with the likes of Madonna, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Murphy and Derek Jeter.

The Statesman noted that Lewis' insistence on representing himself has complicated the already complex case involving some 14 robberies, particularly given his penchant for objecting to the prosecutor's questions. And in his court asides, Lewis isn't exonerating himself well as the Statesman described one particularly testy exchange with the judge. "It's pretty obvious you need a lawyer," Yeakel told the defendant, to which Lewis responded "It's pretty obvious you're a crooked judge."

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

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