Jury finds previously convicted felon guilty of 3 armed robberies

CINCINNATI - A federal jury found a previously convicted felon guilty of seven federal robbery and firearms charges.

James Lockridge, 40, of Cincinnati, committed three armed robberies in February 2024.

"Lockridge fired shots during each robbery, endangering lives and terrorizing the workers and customers in the gas stations he robbed," said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. "My Office will not tolerate such violence in our communities. We will continue to aggressively prosecute-and win trials against-defendants like Lockridge. Thank you to the prosecutors and investigators on this case for their excellent work."

The verdict was announced today following a trial that began on June 1 before U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole.

According to court documents and trial testimony, on Feb. 5, Feb. 10 and Feb. 21, 2024, Lockridge robbed a Cincinnati Marathon gas station. The first and third armed robberies occurred on Gilbert Avenue and the second robbery took place on Montgomery Road.

At each of the robberies, Lockridge was masked and brandished the same silver firearm. He fired his weapon and pointed it at store clerks. He also wore the same boots during each robbery and fled on foot towards a nearby apartment complex after the first and third robberies.

Lockridge was arrested 11 minutes after the third robbery. Officers discovered the firearm in his waistband.

After his arrest, officers located the boots, gloves and other clothing items used during the robberies, as well as a cash register, in and around the space where Lockridge had been residing.

As a previously convicted felon, Lockridge is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Lockridge was convicted of three counts of robbery, three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces up to 20 years in prison for reach robbery and an additional 10 years in prison for using a firearm during the robberies. Illegally possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the Court at a future hearing based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) announced today's verdict. Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley N. Brucato and Danielle E. Margeaux are representing the United States in this case.

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