Black Teen With No Criminal Record Gets 5 Years in Prison For Stealing a Pair of Sneakers

Columbus, GA — Dayonn Davis, an 18-year old Black teen, has been charged with robbery for allegedly stealing a pair of sneakers 3 years ago. Consequently, Davis, who is an Honors student and didn’t have any previous juvenile records, is going to spend five years in adult prison and 10 years on probation.

Davis was 15-years old when he wanted to buy some Nike Oreo shoes, a black and white pair of sneakers often priced at over $100, from its owner who was trying to sell it on Facebook. On January 17, 2016, he arranged to meet with the owner.

According to prosecutor Sadhana Dailey, Davis was with someone at the meeting where he asked to try on the shoes. When the shoes fit, he told the seller, “These shoes is took.”

Davis’ companion then pulled out a pistol and everyone ran. But Davis was quickly tracked down by Columbus police and the stolen shoes were found in his closet.

Davis named the second suspect but the victim could not identify the gunman in the photo lineup. He claimed he did not know that his companion would pull out a gun.

Davis had been a consistent honors student at Kendrick High School before his grades dropped after the arrest. “He’s been extremely remorseful,” Dailey said.

“I was young at the time, so I wasn’t in my right mind,” Davis told Judge Bobby Peters, who sentenced him.

His mother also told the judge that he was just with the wrong person but Judge Peters replied, “He’s the one with the shoes in his closet.”

Moreover, the judge decided that regardless if Davis intended for anyone to pull out a gun or not, he planned to take the shoes because he was the one who set up the meeting.

Now, a teen who had no previous juvenile record will go to prison for a pair of shoes. “Must be some valuable shoes,” the judge said.