Pittsburgh Man Charged in Series of Armed Robberies of Area Businesses

PITTSBURGH – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of violating federal robbery laws, using a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The 16-count Second Superseding Indictment named George Wilson, III, age 37.

According to the Second Superseding Indictment, Wilson committed a series of armed robberies of businesses throughout the Pittsburgh area from November 2014 through December 2014. During that time, Wilson committed armed robberies of three stores called "The Exchange" and during one robbery, Wilson discharged a firearm. Wilson also committed armed robberies of two Sunoco stations and one Exxon station. Due to a prior conviction for a felony offense, Wilson is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not less than 35years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000 at each count, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorneys Troy Rivetti and Heidi M. Grogan are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, the Monroeville Police Department, the Ross Township Police Department, the Penn Hills Police Department and the Wilkins Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the Second Superseding Indictment in this case.

A second superseding indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.