Sacramento District Attorney's Office
04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2026 10:26
Defendant Convicted for Series of Armed Robberies Outside Retail Stores
DATE : April 23, 2026
CASE: William Ellis (23FE012957)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Danny Lee, Major Crimes Unit
William Ellis was convicted by a jury of seven counts of robbery and felony evasion. The jury also found true that Ellis personally used a firearm in each of the robberies and multiple aggravating factors.
In three separate incidents in July and August 2023, Ellis used a firearm to threaten and rob victims of jewelry and personal property, including family heirlooms and wedding rings. Several victims were families with young children. Ellis pointed a revolver at his victims, including pressing it against the ribcage of a 5-year-old boy and the body and neck of a 15-year-old girl. The robberies occurred in parking lots outside retail stores as the victims were getting into their vehicles.
Allegations that Ellis has two prior strike convictions will be determined at sentencing.
Ellis faces a potential sentence of 246 years and 4 months to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 16A before the Honorable Steve White.
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