AKRON, Ohio — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on July 6, 2022, when President Joe Biden visited Cleveland.
An Akron man who pleaded guilty to multiple charges after committing a series of armed robberies and attempted thefts in 2021 was sentenced to 25 years in prison, the U.S. Department of Justice announced today.
39-year-old Aaron Gaines in March entered a guilty plea to a seven-count indictment that included charges of interference with commerce by robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, attempted carjacking, carjacking and felon in possession of a firearm.
“This defendant committed a series of violent crimes, armed with a firearm, that put the lives of multiple innocent people in danger,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “As evident by this lengthy sentence, violent crimes, particularly those committed while illegally possessing a firearm, will only result in a long time in federal prison.”
The DOJ cited court documents that implicated Gaines in three separate violent crimes on the night of Jan. 25, 2021. The Akron Police Department determined Gaines committed an armed robbery at a convenience store on Arlington Street, stealing approximately $500 in cash while brandishing a firearm.
The same night, APD officers later responded to a report of armed robbery and felonious assault and determined Gaines had “brandished and discharged” a gun in an unsuccessful carjacking. Gaines then went on to steal a car that night at gunpoint, at the intersection of Fountain Street and Carroll Street, before crashing the vehicle and fleeing the scene on foot.
A firearm was found on the driver’s side floorboard of the stolen car, police said. Gaines was apprehended and charged days later in connection to the string of robberies.
Gaines appears to have a prior criminal history; the DOJ stated that he is prohibited from possessing a firearm because of previous convictions of aggravated burglary and kidnapping in Summit County.
“Multiple criminal offenses combined with illegal possession of a firearm is a serious felony,” said Philip E. Frigm, Jr., Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI Cleveland. “The FBI is focused on identifying violent offenders and performing investigative work that ultimately results in justice. This sentence reflects our commitment with federal, state, and local partners to keep our communities safe and protect the American public.”
Gaines’ 25-year sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge James S. Gwin. The case was investigated by the FBI and APD, and was prosecuted by Peter E. Daly and Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel, assistant U.S. attorneys for the Northern District of Ohio.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on July 4, 2022.