Waterloo females convicted after violent crime at Walmart

INDEPENDENCE, IOWA – Up to five Waterloo females went to a Walmart, tried to leave with a cart full of items they didn’t pay for and pepper-sprayed an employee, leading to their conviction and prison sentences.

Jasmine Nicole Donald (19), Kaila Marie Johnson(19), and Naviea Jeanne Steele (19), all of Waterloo, Iowa, have been sentenced to serve ten years in prison following their pleas of guilty to Robbery in the Second Degree in the Iowa District Court for Buchanan County.  They must serve five years before being eligible for parole and pay a $1,000.00 fine plus 35% surcharge.

The robbery occurred at the Independence, Iowa Wal-Mart on January 21, 2019. The individuals entered Wal-Mart for the purpose of shoplifting.  When Donald attempted to exit through the entrance doors with a cart full of unpurchased items she was stopped by a Wal-Mart employee.  Johnson then sprayed the Wal-Mart employee with pepper spray to assist their escape.

Jalissa Marlene Simmons (28), also of Waterloo, Iowa, pleaded guilty to Accessory After the Fact for assisting the others in fleeing from Wal-Mart in an automobile to prevent their apprehension by law enforcement.  She was given a suspended two (2) year prison sentence, placed on supervised probation for two (2) years and must pay a fine of $625.00 fine plus 35% surcharge.

A warrant remains outstanding for Daniya Hardy (16) of Waterloo in connection with this matter.  A criminal charge is merely an accusation and Hardy is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.