JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Gainesville man was sentenced to nearly 15 years in federal prison for a string of armed robberies targeting jewelry stores and a pawn shop across Florida.
U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard sentenced Michael Woulard, 50, to 14 years and 10 months in federal prison for robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
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Woulard pleaded guilty on March 16.
According to court documents, Woulard carried out three robberies over a span of several months. On Oct. 10, 2023, he robbed a Value Pawn shop in Jacksonville, stealing goods valued at approximately $45,945.
On Nov. 25, 2023, Woulard robbed a Kay Jewelers store in Jacksonville, brandishing a semi-automatic pistol at employees and stealing jewelry valued at approximately $352,623.
Just months later, on Feb. 20, 2024, Woulard robbed a second Kay Jewelers location in Ocala, again brandishing a semi-automatic pistol at employees and stealing jewelry valued at about $364,752.
When Woulard was arrested on Feb. 21, 2024, authorities found him in possession of numerous stolen items from the Ocala robbery.
During a voluntary interview with investigators from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Ocala Police Department, he admitted to committing the jewelry store robberies, the State Attorney’s Office said.
Woulard was ordered to pay $442,582.59 in restitution to victims.