Jury Trial Ends With Admission Of Guilt By Convicted Felon Charged In String Of Louisville Area Armed Robberies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The second day of testimony in the jury trial of Troy Lamont Gaines, Jr. ended today, with the defendant’s admission of guilt to the armed robbery of eleven area convenient stores and fast food restaurants in December, 2012 and January, 2013, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. The charges stemmed from “Project Recoil” – a comprehensive anti-violent crime strategy announced last summer, which emphasizes collaboration among federal, state and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies to more effectively investigate and prosecute violent criminals in Louisville.

Gaines, age 23 of Louisville, and co-defendant Shaundrell Robinson, age 34 of Louisville, were charged in a 22 count federal indictment on April 2, 2013. The defendants have prior felony convictions and were charged with eleven armed robberies between December 5, 2012 and January 3, 2013 in Metro Louisville and Radcliffe, Kentucky. During one robbery, a shot was fired by Gaines during a struggle with a customer. Gaines was arrested by Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) on January 5, 2013, immediately after robbing a Speedway gas station located 8325 Preston Highway.

The United States was prepared to present evidence during the trial, that according to court records included: video surveillance of the armed robberies while in progress, a police dash-cam video showing Gaines arrest while still wearing a ski mask, a Lorcin semi-automatic pistol, magazine, five rounds of ammunition removed from the magazine and two shell casings found on the sidewalk outside the China Express restaurant that was held up on December 19, 2012, an audio clip of Gaines’ statement to LMPD, video still photos signed by Gaines, a black ski mask and a loaded 9mm pistol seized from Gaines at the time of his arrest.

Gaines pleaded guilty to 11 counts of robbery affecting interstate commerce and two counts of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The charged armed robberies included the Super Stop Food Mart, located at 7303 Preston Highway, on or about December 5, 2012, and on or about December 14, 2012. The armed robbery of the Meijer store, located at 4600 South Hurstbourne Parkway in Louisville, or about December 15, 2012. The armed robbery of JR Liquors 2 store, located at 13018 Dixie Highway, in Louisville, on or about December 19, 2012. The armed robbery of the Circle P Shell Food Mart, located at 1500 North Dixie Highway in Radcliff, Kentucky, on or about December 19, 2012. The armed robbery of the China Express restaurant, located at 4946 Poplar Level Road in Louisville, on or about December 20, 2012. The armed robbery of the Berry Petroleum store, located at 1871 Berry Boulevard in Louisville on or about December 27, 2012. The armed robbery of Thornton=s store, located at 12412 LaGrange Road in Louisville, on or about December 31, 2012.The armed robbery of the Speedway store, located at 3030 Taylor Blvd. in Louisville, on or about December 31, 2012. The armed robbery of White Castle restaurant, located at 2711 Fern Valley Road in Louisville, on or about January 3, 2013. The armed robbery of Speedway store, located at 8325 Preston Highway in Louisville, on or about January 5, 2013.

If convicted of all charges in the Indictment at trial, Gaines faced a total minimum sentence of 257 years’ imprisonment and up to 5 years of supervised release per charge and a fine of $250,000 per charge. A sentencing date has not been schedule, however Gaines is expected to be sentenced by Senior Judge Thomas B. Russell in Louisville.

Co-defendant Shaundrell Robinson is scheduled for trial in U.S. District Court, before Senior Judge Russell, on August 18, 2014.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Bonar and is being investigated by the Louisville Metro Police Robbery Unit.