A federal grand jury in Waco has returned an indictment charging the owner of Waco Jewelers and a second man with a scheme to launder proceeds from a series of jewelry and pawn shop robberies across Texas, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.
Indictment details and local connection
The indictment, unsealed after initial court appearances, names Michael Wayne Habern Jr., 53, identified as the owner of Waco Jewelers at 801 N. Valley Mills Drive, and Clemond Busby, 65, also known as "Bull." Each faces 11 felony counts, including a charge of "conspiracy to launder money."
According to the filing, beginning in 2024 at least five individuals accused of committing robberies arranged, through Busby, to meet with Habern either at the Waco shop or in nearby parking lots to sell stolen jewelry. Prosecutors allege some merchandise arrived with store tags still attached or inside display cases taken during robberies, and that payments were made in cash without required transaction reports.
Scope of alleged thefts
The indictment links the transactions to robberies at multiple businesses, including Zales outlets and several pawn shops in cities across Texas. The document cites locations in San Antonio, Tyler, Cedar Hill, Austin, Copperas Cove and Round Rock, and states alleged theft amounts ranging from thousands of dollars to more than $500,000.
- Count 1: conspiracy to launder money, alleging purchase of stolen goods and failure to report transactions.
- Counts 2–10: accessory after the fact, alleging receipt or disposal of jewelry from specific robberies.
- Count 11: misprision of a felony, alleging knowledge of a felony and concealment.
Prosecutors say the defendants "bought stolen goods from statewide robberies and failed to report them as required by federal law."
Regulatory obligations and local implications
Federal prosecutors note that Waco Jewelers has been registered with the state as a crafted precious metals dealer and that Texas administrative rules require dealers to create detailed transaction reports when purchasing crafted precious metals. The indictment alleges those rules were not followed for one or more transactions linked to the case.
For Waco and McLennan County, the case raises questions about oversight and reporting practices at local precious‑metals businesses and the potential role of local dealers in wider criminal networks. The charges also underscore how crime in one community — here, robberies across Texas — can intersect with legitimate businesses in another.
| Alleged locations named | Alleged theft amounts |
|---|---|
| San Antonio, Tyler, Cedar Hill, Austin, Copperas Cove, Round Rock (and Zales outlets) | From thousands to more than $500,000 |
The defendants made initial appearances after the indictment was unsealed. Further court proceedings and any potential trial dates have not been announced in the available filing.
The federal indictment remains an allegation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
