A Florida man was sentenced to 40 years with the first 25 years in prison after he held two women and a child at gunpoint outside a Stockbridge hair salon.

Yadley Girard, age 31, pleaded guilty on January 30 in Henry County Superior Court to charges of armed robbery, hijacking a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of firearm by convicted felon, and cruelty to children in the third degree.

The armed robbery occurred September 26, 2021 when an employee at the Preeminence Hair Salon Studio on North Henry Boulevard in Stockbridge was closing up for the night.

The employee and her 5-year-old son were taking the trash outside next to the salon when Girard approached, pointed a gun at them and demanded the employee’s property.

He also pointed the gun at a female customer when she came to the door after hearing the employee scream. He also demanded her belongings. Girard then fled in the customer’s Toyota Camry with her purse, her handgun and other belongings.

The next day, Conyers Police officers found Girard in the stolen Toyota at a Walmart in Conyers. He was still in possession of the victim’s handgun. Girard was arrested and subsequently identified by one of the victims in a photo lineup.

Girard pled guilty and was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Holly W. Veal. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Sybil Price and Assistant District Attorney LaJimmie King.