Pharmacy Robber Sentenced To 38 Years In Prison

Jacksonville, Florida - U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard today sentenced John Martin Spaulding (22, Jacksonville) to 38 years in federal prison for two counts of armed robbery and two counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He pleaded guilty on April 24, 2013.

According to court documents, Spaulding robbed the Walgreens on Normandy Boulevard, in Jacksonville, on June 13, 2012. During the robbery, Spaulding fired a 9mm pistol into the ceiling. No one was injured and Spaulding escaped with approximately $144.

On July 18, 2012, Spaulding and an accomplice attempted to rob the Walgreens on Park Street. Spaulding demanded money and prescription drugs from an employee. The employee told Spaulding that the pharmacy was closed. Spaulding then fired multiple shots into a door as he tried unsuccessfully to break into the pharmacy department. Officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and arrested Spaulding and his accomplice. No one was injured in the attempted robbery. Officers also recovered a Hi-Point 9mm pistol that Spaulding used in both robberies.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Robbery Unit and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.