A St. Louis County man, Ronald O. Perkins, age 29, has been convicted on a series of charges following a jury trial concerning multiple armed robberies across Missouri and Illinois. The document explains Perkins faced nine charges including robbery, using a firearm during those robberies, and transporting a firearm in interstate commerce with felonious intent, according to an announcement made by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
During the string of robberies in 2023, evidence presented at the trial highlighted how Perkins wielded a handgun at each crime scene, often violently striking the weapon against surfaces and pointing it at victims which led to several incidences where the victims were left feeling understandably shaken and traumatized, in the robberies Perkins was seen demanding money which led to the theft of cash and on one occasion even a pack of cigarettes; investigators managed to obtain surveillance footage which linked him to all the incidents. Clothing found in his home and vehicles, as well as a scar on his hand and a ballistic match from a gun found in his pants, were among the incriminating pieces of evidence leading to his conviction.
The Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone, during the trial, presented the jury with what he described as a "staggering amount of evidence" that solidified Perkins' involvement in the crimes. Bluestone, as quoted from the U.S. Attorney's Office release, emphasized the weight of the combined proofs laid against Perkins. The trial began on Monday and concluded with the Thursday verdict.
Perkins is now facing a significant spell in prison with each robbery count potentially fetching him up to 20 years, the discharge of a firearm a minimum of 10 consecutive years, the brandishing charge at least seven consecutive years, and transporting a firearm up to 10 years; the collective sentence could range from over three decades to life imprisonment and Perkins is scheduled for sentencing on July 3. The case, part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, was conducted by various police departments from St. Louis County, Metropolitan Police Department the Richmond Heights and Collinsville, as well as the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bluestone and Tiffany Becker, all aimed at curbing violent crime and upholding neighborhood security.
