JACKSONVILLE, FL – A masked man with a penchant for painkillers and a disregard for human life is facing a lengthy prison sentence after a federal jury found Jesse Rance Moore, 46, of Bell, Florida, guilty of a string of brazen pharmacy robberies. Moore was convicted on four counts of Hobbs Act robbery and three counts of brandishing a firearm during the commission of those crimes. He now stares down the barrel of up to 20 years for each robbery charge, and potentially life in prison for each firearm offense.
The FBI began piecing together the case after the North Florida Pharmacy in Fort White was held up at gunpoint on January 13, 2022. Surveillance footage showed a masked figure entering the store, brandishing a black handgun and demanding controlled substances – specifically, oxycodone, oxycontin, and Percocet. A sharp-eyed customer in the drive-thru, witnessing the getaway, took the license plate of a blue/grey sedan, a crucial lead that pointed investigators directly to Moore.
But the Fort White robbery wasn’t an isolated incident. Investigators quickly connected Moore to three prior pharmacy heists: the North Florida Pharmacy in Chiefland on November 20, 2021; the Baya West Pharmacy in Lake City on December 29, 2021; and an earlier robbery at the North Florida Pharmacy in Fort White on August 2, 2021. Evidence revealed Moore utilized both a pickup truck registered to him and rental vehicles secured by his wife in the days leading up to each crime, attempting to evade detection.
Law enforcement’s search of Moore’s residence yielded a disturbing collection of evidence: clothing matching the robber’s attire, multiple masks, the firearm used in the robberies, handwritten notes, and brown boots. Witnesses, despite Moore’s attempts at disguise, were able to testify to the robber’s physical characteristics, clothing, and overall demeanor during the heists, solidifying the case against him. The prosecution further presented damning evidence recovered from Moore’s cellphone.
A review of Moore’s search history revealed he’d been actively researching the very drugs he stole, along with the operating hours of local pharmacies. Even more chillingly, just two weeks before the first robbery, Moore Googled the question, “do drug stores get robbed in florida?” – a clear indication of premeditation. The FBI, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Lake City Police Department, Chiefland Police Department, ATF, DEA, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Florida Highway Patrol all contributed to the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirwinn Mike is prosecuting the case. Moore’s sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2024. This conviction sends a clear message: those who prey on pharmacies and endanger the public for their own gain will be brought to justice. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.
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