AUSTIN, TEXAS — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
AUSTIN, Texas – A Kyle man was sentenced in a federal court in Austin to 288 months in prison for three charges related to multiple armed robberies he committed in 2025, announced U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Justin R. Simmons.
According to court documents, Yael Williams, 39, used a firearm during robberies at a Subway restaurant and two 7-11 stores in Austin in June and July 2025. In the presence of store employees, Williams took cash and other property by force and by threatening the employees with a .22 caliber revolver. During his robbery of the Subway restaurant, Williams fired several shots at two bystanders, one of whom was attempting to intervene and prevent the robbery.
Williams pleaded guilty in November to one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence and two counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
“When you pull a gun on someone in this district, you will face serious consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Simmons. “Yael Williams robbed three businesses, shot at bystanders, and, in so doing, showed a callous disregard for human life. Americans cannot make good on the promise of America when they don’t feel safe in the very place in which they live. In the Western District, we’re committed to making our neighborhoods, towns, and cities places where Americans can thrive, not merely survive. The sentence secured in this case shows our commitment to that mission.”
The Austin Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Buie prosecuted the case.
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