Georgia man arrested in armed robbery of video game competition prize money

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Javiun Tyler Harris, 22, of Folkston, Georgia, was arrested yesterday on a warrant issued following a July 2021 armed robbery of the prize money for an NFL Madden competition.

According to a sworn complaint filed with the Gainesville Police Department, the victim told police that on July 2, 2021, he had set up a Madden NFL video competition between himself, an unknown subject, Harris, and Tristin Zane Sisson, 22, of Callahan, FL. The victim told police that he travels the country as a professional Madden NFL player, typically winning thousands of dollars per game.

The victim said he had connected with Harris on Snapchat and was told that Harris had a friend from Atlanta who wanted to play against him for $1,000. The victim said he told Harris he had $11,000, all in $100 bills.

According to the victim, Harris and Sisson reportedly arrived on foot at his apartment and hung out with him and three of his roommates. The roommates then left for the gym, and then Harris told the victim that his “boy” from Atlanta was pulling up outside. When the third man arrived, the victim began setting up the game system.

The victim said that when he knelt down to set up the game system, someone wrapped their arms around his throat from behind and stood him up. He said that Harris then pulled out a handgun, pointed it directly at the victim’s face, and said, “I don’t wanna do this, just give me the money.” The victim said he tried to push the gun away but was struck in the back of the head with an unknown object, at which point he blacked out. When he woke up on the floor, he said all three men were gone, along with all the cash.

The victim had known Harris and Sisson for several years and showed officers their social media accounts. Officers were reportedly able to view a Snapchat story with all three men in a vehicle, flashing $100 bills.

Sisson was arrested on August 7, 2021, and he reached a plea deal for a second-degree felony charge of accessory after the fact (the armed robbery charge was dropped) in exchange for time served (160 days), 8 years of probation, $11,000 restitution (along with the other co-defendants) to the victim, and truthful testimony about the incident. Adjudication of guilt was withheld.

Harris has been charged with armed robbery and is being held on $500,000 bail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.