Memphis, TN - On November 6, 2008, Chief Judge Jon P. McCalla of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee sentenced Roderick McNeal, age 26, of Memphis, TN, to 290 years and four months in federal prison for 12 armed robberies and for possessing a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony, announced Lawrence J. Laurenzi, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee.

        According to the Indictment, between October 21, 2006, and November 15, 2006, McNeal robbed 12  businesses in Memphis, including a Mapco gas station at 3271 East Shelby Drive, a Church’s Chicken restaurant at 2405 Airways Boulevard, a Checker’s restaurant at 1353 Airways Boulevard, a Mapco gas station at 1435 South Third Street, a Mapco gas station at 4131 Airways Boulevard, a McDonald’s restaurant at 1352 East Shelby Drive, a KFC restaurant at 2785 Lamar Avenue, a Church’s Chicken restaurant at 2963 Park Avenue, a Church’s Chicken restaurant at 1155 South Bellevue Boulevard, a McDonald’s restaurant at 657 South Highland Street, an Exxon gas station at 2025 East Shelby Drive, and a McDonald’s restaurant at 3120 South Third Street.  On each occasion, the defendant displayed a firearm.  McNeal was arrested on November 15, 2006.

        McNeal was indicted in January 2007 and charged with 14 counts of Robbery, 14 counts of Carrying or Using a Firearm During or in Relation to a Crime of Violence, and one count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.  In April 2008, McNeal pleaded guilty to 12 counts of Robbery, 12 counts of Carrying or Using a Firearm During or in Relation to a Crime of Violence, and one count of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

        The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Safe Streets Task Force, a joint federal, state, and local task force which includes officers from the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Office.  Officer Tony Parks with the Memphis Police Department led the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys E. Greg Gilluly and Arun G. Rao handled the case for the government.