St. Louis, MO - Rodney Gardner, 52, St. Louis, pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with interstate commerce by robbing Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. He appeared in federal court this morning before U.S. District Judge E. Richard Webber.
According to court documents, on March 6, 2018, Gardner entered the Central West End ice cream shop and posed as a customer before he demanded that employees hand over money from the cash register. Gardner punched one employee multiple times in the face, breaking her nose, grabbed the cash register, and ran from the store. Police officers arrested him after a brief foot chase.
Gardner faces up to 20 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. Gardner has prior convictions for robbery for which he was previously imprisoned in the Missouri Department of Corrections. Sentencing is set for Sept. 11, 2018.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer J. Roy is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
