Michael R. McReynolds Jr., 32, of Fayette County, is headed to federal prison for 166 months after pleading guilty to two armed robberies at the Hubbard & Curry Pharmacy in Lexington. The sentence, handed down Friday by Chief U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves, stems from a violent crime spree fueled by prescription opioids and a high-powered AK-style firearm.
On September 27, 2019, McReynolds stormed into the pharmacy armed with the AK-style weapon, demanded controlled substances, and walked out with oxycodone pills, other drugs, and approximately $300 in cash. Less than a month later, on October 21, 2019, he returned—again wielding the same type of firearm—and stole approximately 500 more oxycodone pills. Both robberies were executed with cold precision, terrorizing staff and endangering public safety.
Law enforcement didn’t wait long to close the case. Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, officers identified McReynolds as the suspect. He was arrested the same day as the second robbery at his fiancée’s home, where authorities recovered a stash of the stolen prescription pills—direct physical proof linking him to the crimes.
In his plea agreement, McReynolds admitted to not only possessing but also brandishing the firearm to intimidate employees and facilitate both robberies. Under federal law, using a gun during a crime of violence triggers enhanced penalties. As a result, McReynolds must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for release.
Upon completion of his prison term, he will face five years of supervised release under the watch of the U.S. Probation Office. Federal prosecutors emphasized that the sentence sends a clear message: armed robbery of critical community institutions like pharmacies will be met with maximum consequences.
The case was jointly announced by Robert M. Duncan, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; J. Todd Scott, DEA Special Agent in Charge; and Lawrence Weathers, Chief of the Lexington Police Department. The investigation was led by the DEA and Lexington Police, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Villalobos. The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods and Project Guardian, federal initiatives targeting violent crime and illegal gun use.
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Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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