CINCINNATI - A Cincinnati man who committed three armed robberies of Marathon gas stations in just a few weeks in February 2024 was sentenced in federal court here today to 431 months in prison.

During all three robberies, James Lockridge, 43, of Cincinnati, entered the store and fired the same 9mm gun into the ceiling.

"Lockridge endangered lives and caused panic and terror in employees and customers during three separate robberies. The evidence at trial and his own criminal history show that he is a violent offender who has no respect for the law," said U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. "The excellent work of the investigators and prosecutors in this case stopped Lockridge before he successfully shot or seriously injured someone else. The public is safer now that he has been sentenced to a lengthy term in federal prison."

Following a weeklong trial in June, Lockridge was found guilty of seven federal robbery and firearms charges.

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. Lockridge not only pointed his gun at employees, but he also pointed his gun and used force against customers who were in his way during the second and third robberies. 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. His criminal history includes a previous armed robbery in 2014 in which Lockridge entered a victim's car and pointed a gun at the victim before stealing the victim's belongings. Lockridge was on parole for that armed robbery when he committed the three armed robberies in this case.

The defendant's history also involves breaking and entering, burglary, theft, criminal trespass, threatening others with guns and drug possession. Police had encountered Lockridge several times in the past on assault and domestic violence calls.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Jorge Rosendo, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Cincinnati Police Interim Chief Adam Hennie announced the sentence imposed today by U.S. District Judge Douglas R. Cole. Assistant United States Attorneys Ashley N. Brucato and Danielle E. Margeaux are representing the United States in this case.

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