BEAUMONT — Cameron Frank was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Friday by Judge John Stevens. A jury found Frank guilty of the murder of Kendra Ureka Crump during a robbery in a motel room at the Knight’s Inn at 4085 IH-10 South on Aug. 20, 2013, according to a press release from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office.

The court found that Frank and another male, entered a room at the hotel attempting to rob women who advertised as escorts on a website known as BackPage.com. The pair set up a “date” with the women in the women’s room. The men entered and assaulted a male friend of the women, Jeremy Spears, and, during the assault, Frank shot and killed Crump. Crump was able to make it to the parking lot before she collapsed.

Prosecutor Mike Laird stated, “This was a sad case where a young woman bled to death in a parking lot of a motel for a small amount of money.

Officers of the Beaumont Police Department began searching for a phone taken from Spears during the robbery. The phone led them to a witness. That witness testified that Frank and the other male were trying to rob escorts at motels. Other records were obtained which helped officers develop suspects. One of those suspects was Frank. Frank was arrested and brought in for questioning.

Frank admitted to being in the motel room but said the women and Spears were trying to rob Frank and the other male with him. Frank said Spears busted into the motel room and Frank’s male companion pulled his gun. He claimed there was a struggle over a gun between Frank’s male companion and Spears and the gun went off killing Crump. DNA established that Spears’ blood was on a shirt belonging to Frank. Spears also testified that he heard a gunshot and saw Frank with gun pointed at Crump. Frank’s male companion denied ever being there or knowing Frank. The male companion was tried for the Aggravated Robbery and found not guilty. The jury deliberated five hours before finding Frank guilty of capital murder.

This case was investigated by the Beaumont Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Laird.