Judge Sentences Five for Ybor City Armed Robbery
Five Florida residents receive multi-year federal prison sentences for a violent robbery at a Tampa nightclub.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Property Crime
A federal judge has sentenced five men to lengthy prison terms for an armed robbery they carried out at an Ybor City nightclub. During the February 1, 2025, heist, one of the perpetrators shot a nightclub manager in the face, causing the victim to lose an eye.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes a federal investigation into a group that traveled from Brevard County to Tampa to target the business. Authorities say the perpetrators attempted to conceal their involvement by destroying evidence, including burning clothing used during the crime.
Courtenay Smith received 18 years and 4 months in prison, while Phillip Johnson was sentenced to 15 years. Sema-J De-Andre Brothers and Na'Quezz Mack each received over 14 years, and Derrick Worthington was sentenced to 13 years and 10 months.
The players
Courtenay Smith
He is one of the five individuals sentenced to federal prison for his role in the robbery.
Phillip Johnson
He was sentenced to federal prison after shooting a nightclub manager during the crime.
Sema-J De-Andre Brothers
He is a Florida resident who received a sentence of more than 14 years in federal prison.
Na'Quezz Mack
He is a Florida resident who received a sentence of more than 14 years in federal prison.
Derrick Worthington
He is a Florida resident who received a sentence of 13 years and 10 months in federal prison.
The details
The group planned the robbery at a home in Brevard County before driving approximately 100 miles to commit the crime in disguises including masks, gloves, and hooded sweatshirts. They targeted the venue during early morning hours to minimize the number of witnesses present.
Timeline
February 1, 2025: The group carried out the armed robbery at an Ybor City nightclub.
Legal Context
The sentencing reflects the strict federal approach to prosecuting violent crimes that involve the use of firearms in commercial spaces. This follows a pattern of high-priority investigations into groups that travel across jurisdictions to commit organized property crimes.
This case highlights the risks associated with organized robbery rings targeting local businesses in Tampa. The successful prosecution and resulting prison sentences serve as a definitive conclusion for the businesses and residents affected by the violence in Ybor City.
The takeaway
Criminals who travel between jurisdictions to commit violent crimes face severe federal prosecution. Authorities continue to emphasize that the destruction of evidence will not prevent the identification and sentencing of those involved in such crimes.
Further reading
For more information on local investigations, see the Property Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The United States Department of Justice.
