Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A Cleveland man has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies that targeted a bank and several local businesses. Reginald J. Wimberly, Jr., 24, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Bridget Meehan Brennan after pleading guilty in August to multiple charges.
Wimberly was convicted on four counts of Hobbs Act violations for interference with commerce by robbery, two counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and one count of bank robbery. In addition to his prison term, he will serve three years of supervised release and must pay $1,426 in restitution. The sentence was handed down on December 4.
Court documents state that Wimberly entered several businesses in December 2022 armed with a firearm, threatening employees and demanding money. During one incident at Citizens Bank on Broadway Avenue, he passed a note to a teller stating: “GIVE ME 20K OR I’M SHOOT THE PERSON NEXT 2 ME.” After receiving cash from the teller, Wimberly dropped his cellphone and became trapped by security doors but managed to escape.
Wimberly admitted responsibility for all five robberies during an interview with law enforcement officials.
The affected businesses included three Dollar General locations (Broadway Ave., East 116th St., St. Clair Ave.) robbed on December 27, Family Dollar on Miles Ave. robbed on December 28, and Citizens Bank on Broadway Ave. robbed on December 30.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division along with the Cleveland Division of Police. Assistant United States Attorney Kristen Rolph prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to holding violent offenders accountable,” said Rebecca C. Lutzko, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.
