Saint Louis City Man Pleads Guilty to 12 Armed Robberies

Saint Louis, MO –Justin McGee, 38, of Saint Louis, Missouri, pleaded guilty to his role in 12 robberies.  He appeared today before U.S. District Judge Audrey G. Fleissig who accepted his plea and set his sentencing for May 13, 2020. 

According to the plea agreement, on September 12, 2018, McGee, armed with a firearm, entered the Cricket Wireless store located at 10006 W. Florissant and approached an employee stating that he needed a phone repaired.  While the employee was looking at the phone, McGee pulled a firearm from his pocket, pointed it at the employee and demanded that he open the cash register.  The employee was ordered to the floor as McGee stole money from the register and then fled the store.

On October 10, 2018, McGee entered the Game Stop on Maplewood Commons Drive armed with a firearm, pointed it at the employee and demanded that she open the cash register.   After grabbing money from the register, McGee ordered the employee to the ground and left.

On October 12, 2018, McGee entered the T-Mobile store on N. Highway 67, engaged an employee in conversation, then pointed a firearm at her and told her he would kill her.  He then confronted the store manager and had both employees lie on the floor.  McGee had one of the employees crawl to the office to show him where the cash was located.  McGee took money and left the store. 

On October 17, 2018, McGee entered the Game Stop located on South Kingshighway, engaged an employee in conversation, pushed him to the floor as he pointed a firearm at him and demanded the cash register be opened.  A second employee opened the register.  McGee grabbed the store’s money and left the store.

On October 19, 2018, McGee entered the Boost Mobile store on Manchester, rushed towards an employee and pointed a firearm at her.  He pushed her to the floor and poked her back with the firearm.  She opened the cash register; McGee grabbed the store’s money and ran out the door. 

On November 23, 2018, McGee entered the Smoothie King on Forest Park as the employees were preparing to close for the day.  McGee placed his hand in his pocket as if he had a firearm and told them he wanted no problems.  After he ordered the employees to kneel on the floor, McGee grabbed the store’s money and left. 

On December 15, 2018, McGee entered Kings Beauty Supply on Aubert and engaged an employee in a conversation about a hair clipper.  McGee produced a firearm and announced a robbery.  Pointing the firearm at two employees, McGee ordered one to lie on the ground.  He grabbed the store’s money and hair clippers and left the store.

On February 4, 2019, McGee entered the Boost Mobile Store in North Oaks Plaza and engaged an employee in a conversation before pulling out his firearm and walking behind the counter.  The employee pulled his own firearm and fired a shot striking McGee in the head.  McGee was able to flee. 

On March 7, 2019, McGee entered the BP gas station on Olive Road and began to climb over the counter to open the cash register.  As he climbed over the counter, he pointed an air pistol at the employee.  A fight ensued.  The employee was able to grab the air pistol and McGee ran from the store. 

On March 26, 2019, McGee entered the Family Dollar on North Grand, approached a cashier and told her to open her cash drawer.  When she told him she could not, he pointed a caliber firearm at her.  At that time, the manager opened the cash register.  McGee took money and fled the store.

On March 29, 2019, McGee entered the Qdoba Restaurant on Lindell and approached the cashier as if to place a food order.  McGee brandished a firearm and demanded money. McGee took money and left the store. 

On April 7, 2019, McGee entered the Dollar Tree on Aubert, approached the cashier and told him not to “trip” as he pointed a firearm at him.  The cashier gave McGee money and McGee left the store. 

Each robbery count carries a penalty of not more than 20 years and a fine of $250,000.  Each brandishing of a firearm count carries a penalty of not less than seven years nor more than life, consecutive to any sentence imposed for all counts, and a fine of not more than $250,000.  In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. 

The Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case.