Santa Rosa jewelry store robber sentenced to 159 years in prison

An Oakland man with a long criminal history who attempted an armed robbery of a Santa Rosa jewelry store 12 days after being released from custody was sentenced Tuesday to 159 years in prison.

Judge Dana Simonds handed down the punishment for Jimmy Lee Terry Jr., 46, after reviewing his record of violent crime dating back to 1992. She denied his request to overlook his past, finding that his pattern of repeated offenses is what the Legislature envisioned in adopting the state’s so-called three-strike laws.

“Your record is long, and it’s very serious,” Simonds told Terry before sentencing him to 82 years, plus 77 years to life in prison. Terry spoke briefly, apologizing to an employee of Bennett Valley Jewelers who was shot during the 2014 robbery, as well as the store owner.

“I would ask for forgiveness, but I don’t deserve it right now,” Terry said before he was led away. An accomplice, Johnny Tasker Douglas, 36, was previously sentenced to 11 years in prison. He died in custody a few months ago, the judge said.

The two men stormed the store in a brazen daylight robbery captured on video and played at separate trials for both men.

It shows Douglas running in and smashing display cases containing Rolex watches. Terry followed, grabbing a store employee and holding a gun to her head.

The robbery was broken up by the owner, Ty Visscher, who emerged from the back of the store firing his own gun at Douglas and Terry. Both men and the employee hostage were wounded in the gunfire.

Terry was on parole at the time after completing a 17-year prison sentence for armed robbery. He also was previously convicted of an armed robbery in 1992.

He asked Simonds to put aside his prior “strikes,” arguing in court papers he was a victim of circumstances. But the judge denied the request, finding no evidence of past drug addiction or anything else that might explain why he robbed the store so soon after being released from prison.

“A mere 12 days later, you committed the current offense,” the judge said.

Prosecutor Mark Urioste read a statement from the store owner, calling for the maximum punishment. Visscher said Terry chose a destructive course that nearly cost him and his employee their lives.

“Looking back at the video, I realized we are very lucky to be alive today,” Visscher said.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 707-568-5312.