Ryan Camille Roccaforte was sentenced by a jury to 35 years in prison for an aggravated robbery that occurred March 21, 2017, in Groves.

Roccaforte had a previous conviction in 2007 for aggravated robbery, where he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Officers of the Groves Police Department responded to a home on South Drive in Groves about 7:35 a.m. in reference to a shooting. When they arrived, they discovered that the victim in the robbery had been stabbed in the arm by Roccaforte.

The victim retrieved a shotgun from the home and followed Roccaforte outside where he shot Roccaforte in the back with birdshot as Roccaforte fled the scene. Groves police began a search for Roccaforte who was found hiding in a carport on Berry Street in Groves.

He had wounds from being shot and the knife used in the Aggravated Robbery. He claimed he was just defending himself.

Testimony from the victim showed that Roccaforte took drugs, money, and keys to the victim’s truck. The victim testified Roccaforte had delivered 3 grams of Methamphetamines to him to sell on the streets.

When Roccaforte couldn’t get in touch with the victim, he went to the home on South Drive to retrieve money and drugs. He attacked the victim and stabbed him in the process.

This case was investigated by the Groves Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mike Laird and Raymond Shearer. The jury trial was held in the Criminal District Court and was presided over by Judge John Stevens.

“This case created a lot of violence in a neighborhood with families,” Prosecutor Mike Laird said. “It was unnecessary violence over a small amount of drugs. The community is safer because a jury did what was necessary. I am grateful for the Groves Police Department and the help from the investigators and prosecutors in my team. ”