Evansville man sentenced for robbery of two Walgreens pharmacies

Evansville – Josh J. Minkler, the United States Attorney, announced today that Jeffrey W. Grimwood, 44, Evansville, was sentenced to 144 months (12 years) in prison by U.S. District Chief Judge Richard L. Young following his guilty plea to obstruction of commerce by robbery.  This case was the result of an investigation by the Evansville Violent Crimes Task Force and the Evansville Police Department.

“Prescription drug abuse fuels violence in many areas of Southern Indiana,” said Minkler. “If someone has a prescription drug problem, I encourage them to get help before they resort to violence.  If not, they will be sent to federal prison.”

Grimwood admitted to the Court that on May 9, 2015, he entered the Walgreens Pharmacy located at 925 South Green River Road in Evansville, and demanded prescription pain medication.  He then displayed what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol tucked in his waistband before leaving the pharmacy with the medication.  Grimwood also admitted that on June 11, 2015, he entered a Walgreens Pharmacy located at 4301 North First Avenue in Evansville and asked for Percocet and Dilaudid, both prescription pain medications.  When asked for his prescription by the pharmacy staff, Grimwood displayed what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol and said “This is my prescription!”

A witness to the June 11^th robbery observed the suspect leaving the pharmacy and provided the license plate number to Evansville Police officers.  The officers went to the residence associated with the license plate number where Grimwood admitted to both of the robberies.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge Young also imposed 3 years supervised release following Grimwood’s release from prison and ordered him to participate in a drug abuse prevention program while on supervision.