Photo: Department of Justice
CLEVELAND – Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that Jonathan Donnell, 33, of Elyria, Ohio, was sentenced today by Judge John R. Adams to thirteen and a half years imprisonment after Donnell was found guilty by a jury of interference with commerce by robbery and using or carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court records, on May 5, 2019, two masked men armed with handguns robbed a Marathon Gas on Huron Street in Elyria. The intruders stole approximately $30,000 in cash and cigarettes and bound a store employee with zip ties. Elyria Police Officers investigated the incident and later determined that Joseph Geiger and Michael Ward were responsible for the robbery.
While investigating the robbery, police learned that defendant Jonathan Donnell may also have been involved. Through further investigating, police learned that Donnell was responsible for planning the robbery and provided the other two defendants with the tools necessary to carry it out, including the guns, zip ties and gloves. Police further discovered that Donnell also drove both Ward and Geiger to a location near the robbery and was supposed to serve as the getaway driver; however, Donnell left before Ward and Geiger returned.
Joseph Geiger was sentenced by Judge Donald C. Nugent to thirteen years imprisonment for his role in the incident.
Michael Ward was sentenced by Judge Donald C. Nugent to nine years imprisonment for his role in the incident.
This case was investigated by the Elyria Police and the Cleveland FBI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki.
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