Three men have officially been sentenced in connection to the violent home invasion and murder of Deonta McArn—in Winston-Salem in 2023.
According to the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office, the deadly break-in happened on May 18, 2023, inside an apartment in the 2000 block of Quincy Drive. Prosecutors say the trio—Jemon Smith, Armin “Almon” Hardy, and Anthony Coverdale—were on a mission looking for drugs and money.
At the time, four people were inside the apartment, including McArn himself.
Investigators say Hardy stayed downstairs and robbed one of the residents of just $37, while Smith and Coverdale ran upstairs. That’s where things took a tragic turn.
Once inside the bathroom, Deonta McArn tried to defend himself, but Smith opened fire, killing him instantly.
After the shooting, all three suspects ran from the scene.
Authorities later found Smith’s cell phone inside the apartment, directly tying him to the crime.
Also Coverdale later confessed everything to his high school guidance counselor, admitting to burglary, robbery, and homicide.
All three men entered guilty pleas to the following charges:
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Second-degree murder
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Two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon
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First-degree burglary
The court handed down the following prison terms:
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Jemon Smith: 20 to 25 years
- Anthony Coverdale: 16 to 20 years
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Armin Hardy: 13 to 16 years
The Forsyth County DA said the sentences reflect “the severity of the violent actions that led to the tragic loss of life.”
