DALLAS — A Dallas County jury sentenced a 27-year-old man to 33 years in prison after convicting him in a violent armed robbery that involved kidnapping a father and his teenage son at gunpoint.
According to prosecutors, James Lavare Moore was found guilty on May 1, 2026, on two counts of aggravated robbery following an investigation by the Dallas Police Department.
Authorities said the crimes occurred on June 19, 2024, when Moore armed himself with a handgun, jumped a fence, and hid in a family’s backyard waiting for them to return home.
Prosecutors said the family’s teenage son arrived first and was immediately confronted at gunpoint. Moore then forced the teen to remain under his control as the boy’s father drove into the backyard in his work truck.
Investigators said Moore demanded money from the father before forcing both victims into their home while threatening to kill them and then himself if police were contacted.
Once inside, Moore allegedly bound and taped the victims while searching the residence for valuables and cash. Prosecutors said Moore later called a second suspect to collect money taken during the robbery. That suspect has not been identified or apprehended.
Authorities said Moore later forced the father and son to drive to a bank so additional cash could be withdrawn while he held the teenage victim at gunpoint.
Afterward, Moore reportedly made the victims stop at a gas station, where the father convinced another person inside the store to secretly call 911.
Prosecutors said Moore later separated the victims at another property connected to remodeling work. While being held at gunpoint in a backyard, the teenage victim managed to escape by jumping a fence and warned his father not to return.
Moore fled the scene but was arrested two days later at a gas station while allegedly brandishing a firearm.
The case was prosecuted by Zachery Brown with assistance from Miranda Salazar.
