PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Richard James, 33, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was handed a stiff sentence today as he was condemned to 180 months in federal prison for a series of armed robberies that terrorized the city last year.
United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced that on June 10, 2024, James was sentenced by Judge Robert J. Colville to serve 15 years followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $26,583.43 in restitution for the thefts and his illegal possession of a firearm.
James committed a string of brazen armed robberies targeting cellular phone stores in April and May 2021. In one instance, he forced an employee to the ground at gunpoint, demanding cell phones be stuffed into his bag. Another time, he chased an employee as she entered a store’s storage area, dragging her inside before holding her captive while demanding that another employee fill his bag with phones.
The court was informed that James had been found in possession of a firearm in August 2021, despite being a previously convicted felon prohibited by federal law from owning or carrying firearms.
U.S. Attorney Olshan praised the collaborative efforts between their office and local law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Swissvale Police Department, and Wilkinsburg Police Department, for bringing James to justice. ‘James will be spending the next decade and a half in federal prison,’ Olshan said.
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division, echoed this sentiment, stating that stopping firearms-related violent crime is core to their mission. Assistant United States Attorney Douglas C. Maloney prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The agencies involved were commended for their role in the investigation.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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