DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Middle District of Florida

For Immediate Release

Friday, December 5, 2014
A. Lee Bentley, III
, United States Attorney
Contact: William Daniels

Plant City Man Sentenced to More than 11 Years for Armed Robbery

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Reginald Lynn Gaines (24, Plant City) to 11 years and 9 months in federal prison for robbing a convenience store, and using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during that robbery. The court also ordered Gaines to pay $1,000 in restitution, which was the amount taken during the robbery. Gaines pleaded guilty on September 2, 2014.

According to testimony and court documents, on November 4, 2013, Gaines and others entered the Food Mart on Lock Street in Dade City carrying firearms. Gaines was armed with a shotgun, while the others had handguns. When they demanded money, the store clerk did not immediately open the register. Gaines then struck the clerk with the butt of his shotgun. He was apprehended the next day.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and the Dade City Police Department.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam M. Saltzman.
 

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Tampa Field Division