A former Ohio resident has received an additional 15 years to his sentence for his involvement in a series of pharmacy robberies in western Pennsylvania and the subsequent sale of the stolen drugs. The sentence extension comes after more than a decade since the initial sentencing. WJET/WFXP reported the news.
Abdulrahman Abdelaziz Jamea, 26, previously of Columbus, has been handed an extra 17.5 years in prison by a Pittsburgh judge for a series of robberies committed in 2018 and 2019. The locations targeted by Jamea include Beaver, Bridgeville, Edinboro, Erie, and the Oakland area of Pittsburgh.
In March, Jamea was found guilty on multiple charges including three counts of armed robbery of pharmacies, two counts of pharmacy robbery, conspiracy to commit armed pharmacy robbery and conspiracy to possess controlled substances with the intent to distribute them.
According to U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan, Jamea’s armed robbery spree in western Pennsylvania put the lives of pharmacy employees and innocent civilians in danger. The motive behind these robberies was to steal hazardous drugs and sell them on the streets in collaboration with his accomplices.
Following each robbery, Jamea and the rest of the crew would head back to Columbus, Ohio, to sell the stolen goods to other dealers and individuals.
The judge, during the sentencing, specifically mentioned how Jamea held a pharmacy worker at gunpoint while his accomplice stole drugs from the safe during a robbery in Edinboro.
Jamea has been sentenced to over 40 years in prison due to being convicted of eight counts of felony assault with a firearm. The sentences will be served consecutively.