Thibodaux man sentenced to 10 years for robbing friend at gunpoint

A Thibodaux man has been ordered to serve a decade in prison after pleading guilty to robbing his friend at gunpoint.

Rashad Frazier, 21, pleaded guilty last week to first-degree robbery, prosecutors said. After Frazier entered his plea, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Frazier was originally scheduled to stand trial but opted to plead guilty to the lesser charge, prosecutors said.

A first-degree robbery conviction carries up to 40 years behind bars. He was originally charged with armed robbery with a firearm in connection with an incident that occurred in May 2000.

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The victim went to meet Frazier at a predetermined location in Thibodaux, prosecutors said. When the victim arrived, Frazier robbed him at gunpoint and stole several hundred dollars.

Another suspect also took part in the robbery but his identity was never learned, prosecutors said.

The two assailants fled, and the victim alerted Thibodaux Police. Frazier was later arrested with three other people during a drug-related traffic stop May 26, 2020, at School Street and Canal Boulevard in Thibodaux, police said.

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Prosecutors said they are satisfied with the outcome.

“The victim and the defendant had a prior friendship,” said Lafourche Assistant District Attorney Greg Stahlnecker, who prosecuted the case. “Even though the victim was reluctant to move forward, we felt it was in the public’s best interest to not dismiss the case due to the serious nature of the offense.”

Frazier’s court-appointed attorney, Barry Ranshi of Kenner, could not be reached for comment.

— Staff Writer Dan Copp can be reached at 448-7639 or at dan.copp@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanVCopp.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Thibodaux man gets 10 years in prison for robbing friend at gunpoint