Penn Hills man gets 31 years in federal prison for armed robberies

A Penn Hills man who authorities said shot a store employee during one of a series of armed robberies in 2014 was sentenced Thursday to 31 years in prison.

George Wilson III, 39, pleaded guilty in September during a jury trial to four firearms counts for armed robberies at gas station convenience stores and businesses around Pittsburgh in November and December 2014.

Prosecutors said he shot an employee who was unable to open a cash register at The Exchange store in Ross Township.

U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton regarded surveillance footage of the shooting as “one of the most shocking things I have ever seen” during sentencing, according to prosecutors.

Walton ordered Wilson to forfeit a pistol.

Attorneys agreed on the 31-year sentence, as indicated in court filings by both sides. Defense attorney Frank Walker pointed to Wilson’s health issues and age as a reason to stick with the agreed upon sentence.

Wilson also was ordered to spend five years on supervised release after the prison term and pay $3,027 in restitution.

“Mr. Wilson fully accepts his responsibility in this matter and desires to become a productive and rehabilitated member of society following the imposition of the sentence from this court,” Walker wrote.

Several witnesses of the robberies testified that they were terrified, according to a prosecution sentencing memorandum. The clerk who was shot missed several months of work and the bullet remains lodged in his spine.

“Defendant put the victims and witnesses of the stores he robbed in fear of their lives, causing lasting trauma,” prosecutors wrote.