A jury at the U.S. District Court in St. Louis has convicted Ronald O. Perkins, 29, from Black Jack, Missouri, on nine counts related to a series of five armed robberies committed in Missouri and Illinois in 2023. Perkins was found guilty of four counts of robbery, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, three counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of transporting a firearm in interstate commerce with the intent to commit a felony.
During each robbery, Perkins brandished a handgun, often banging it on the counter or pointing it at victims, according to evidence presented at the trial. His crimes included robbing a gas station and convenience store on Riverview Drive in St. Louis on September 8, 2023; a gas station on Clayton Road in Richmond Heights on November 8, 2023; a 7-Eleven on Hoffmeister Avenue in St. Louis County less than two hours later; a gas station on Fee Fee Road in St. Louis County four days later; and, finally, a liquor store on St. Louis Road in Collinsville, Illinois, five days after that.
Investigators were able to obtain surveillance video of each incident and later discovered clothing matching that of the robber at Perkins' residence and in one of the vehicles he used. Perkins' distinctive hand scar was noted as matching that of the robber seen in the footage. The vehicles he drove were also identified in the surveillance videos from all five robberies. A balistic-matching gun was recovered from Perkins' pants, and an electronic trail was left from his home to each crime scene.
"Taken together, it is a staggering amount of evidence," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Bluestone to jurors during the closing statements. The trial commenced on Monday, concluding with the verdict on Thursday. Perkins' sentencing is scheduled for July 3. The potential penalties for each robbery charge are up to 20 years in prison. The firearm discharge charge includes a penalty of at least 10 additional years. Brandishing the firearm carries at least seven additional years, and the transporting charge is penalized by up to 10 years in prison. Overall, Perkins faces a minimum of 31 years with a potential maximum of a life sentence.
The investigation was conducted by several police departments including St. Louis County, St. Louis Metropolitan, Collinsville, Richmond Heights, Columbia (Illinois), and the FBI. The prosecution is being led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Bluestone and Tiffany Becker.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaboration between law enforcement and communities aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence, and making neighborhoods safer. The Department launched a strategy to strengthen PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on community trust, legitimacy, and strategic enforcement priorities.