Warner Robins man sentenced to life for Valentine’s Day armed robbery

Prosecutors say Treviyon Marquisette Oates set up a 2024 robbery that ended in gunfire and a near-fatal shooting.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Warner Robins man has been sentenced to life in prison after a Houston County jury convicted him of armed robbery in connection with a Valentine’s Day shooting and robbery in 2024.

According to a news release from the Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards’ office, 21-year-old Treviyon Marquisette Oates was convicted Tuesday of armed robbery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony following a two-day trial in Superior Court. The jury deliberated for about an hour before returning its verdict, according to the release.

Senior Judge F. Gates Peed sentenced Oates to life in prison on the armed robbery charge, followed by five years in prison on the firearm charge.

The case stems from a February 14, 2024, robbery on Virginia Dare Drive. Prosecutors said Oates set up the robbery under the guise of buying marijuana. He and others returned to the house after pretending to leave for money, then Oates went inside before shots rang out, striking the victim multiple times.

Investigators said Oates and the group stole marijuana, an AR-15 rifle and a PlayStation 5 before leaving. A friend of the victim arrived as the suspects fled, and the group opened fire, but he was able to drive away unharmed. The victim survived after surgery and later identified Oates from a photo lineup, according to the release.

Authorities issued a lookout for the vehicle registered to Oates, and four days later, law enforcement attempted a traffic stop in Centerville. The vehicle fled and crashed after a chase. Oates ran but was arrested after a brief pursuit. Georgia State Patrol located a firearm in the vehicle, and GBI testing confirmed it matched shell casings found at the robbery scene.

Assistant District Attorney Justin Duane prosecuted the case with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and GBI investigating.

“Although the victim in the case was doing things he shouldn’t have been doing, I am grateful for the jury’s verdict,” Duane said in the release. “This case was a few inches away from being a double homicide. Although this was a targeted robbery that went bad, I want people to remember that stray bullets must land somewhere.”

“This case is another reminder of how quickly robberies can escalate into near-deadly violence,” Edwards added. “A man was left clinging to life after being shot multiple times, and innocent neighbors were put at risk when gunfire erupted in the middle of a residential area.”