Ellis Pleads Guilty to Unarmed Robbery
Jayvion L. Ellis, 20, admitted to unarmed robbery in Saginaw County Circuit Court as armed robbery charges were dismissed.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Financial Crime
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Jayvion L. Ellis, 20, pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery on Oct. 20 in Saginaw County Circuit Court. Prosecutors dismissed armed robbery and felony firearm-pneumatic gun charges as part of the plea deal.
Why it matters
The plea resolves two alleged robberies in which victims were lured through Facebook Marketplace to a Saginaw parking lot and handed envelopes of ripped paper instead of goods. Ellis remains held without bond until sentencing.
Ellis pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery, a 15-year felony, and is held without bond pending sentencing before Judge Darnell Jackson on Dec. 10. Judge Jackson indicated he would impose local jail time and probation, though the final sentence remains undetermined.
The players
Jayvion L. Ellis
Ellis is a 20-year-old man who pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery in Saginaw County Circuit Court.
Judge Darnell Jackson
Jackson is the Saginaw County Circuit Court judge presiding over the case and scheduled to sentence Ellis.
The details
Ellis allegedly used Facebook Marketplace to lure sellers to the former Heavenrich Elementary School parking lot, where he allegedly handed over an envelope of ripped paper in exchange for a Nintendo Switch on Feb. 18 and an iPhone 16 on March 18. Police allegedly found Ellis nearby with the iPhone, a ski mask and an Airsoft pistol.
Timeline
Feb. 18: First alleged robbery, Nintendo Switch sale at the parking lot.
March 18: Second alleged robbery, iPhone 16 sale at the parking lot.
July: Ellis pleaded guilty to misdemeanor larceny and received credit for time served.
Oct. 20: Ellis pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery.
Dec. 10: Scheduled sentencing before Judge Darnell Jackson.
Legal Context
Unarmed robbery under Michigan law is a 15-year felony, and this plea reduces exposure from the armed robbery and felony firearm charges originally filed. The outcome illustrates how plea agreements in Saginaw County can resolve multi-count robbery cases at a lower charge level.
Residents who buy or sell items through online marketplaces may face similar lure tactics, particularly in exchanges arranged at public parking lots. Saginaw shoppers can reduce risk by meeting sellers in well-lit, staffed locations and verifying payment before handing over goods.
The takeaway
Verify payment before releasing an item in any online marketplace sale, since the alleged scheme relied on handing over an envelope of paper instead of cash. Meeting in a staffed, well-lit location reduces the risk of this kind of exchange.
What happens next
Judge Darnell Jackson is scheduled to sentence Jayvion L. Ellis on Dec. 10.
Further reading
Explore more Financial Crime coverage in Saginaw.
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