COLUMBUS – A Columbus man has been found guilty in federal court of robbing a half dozen businesses, including the same Clintonville restaurant twice, in a little over a month in 2020.
Ronald Lee Jacobs faces up to 27 years in prison for robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence after being convicted Monday following a week-long trial in U.S. District Court, according to U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker.
Jacobs, 46, was indicted in 2021 in connection with six holdups between Sept. 5 and Oct. 12 2020, including two at the Wing Snob restaurant at 5179 N. High Street on Sept. 12 and Oct. 8.
Parker says Jacobs was convicted of six counts of robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
Jacobs called off from his job at a glue factory for one robbery and left during his shift to commit another and, during some of the holdups, had visible glue splatters on his clothing, Parker said.
Parker says Jacobs discussed with fellow jail inmates the firearms he used and said he committed the robberies because he was “broke” and needed to pay child support, Parker said.
Jacobs’ six robbery counts carry a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence is punishable by at least seven years in prison.