Akron Man Charged with Armed Robbery and Carjacking

 Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that a federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment charging Aaron J. Gaines, age 39, whose last known address was in Akron, Ohio, with interference with commerce by robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, attempted carjacking, carjacking and felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the indictment, on or about January 25, 2021, the Defendant is accused of brandishing a firearm, threatening store employees and robbing a convenience store on Arlington Street in Akron.  Additionally, the Defendant is accused of discharging a firearm in an attempt to carjack a vehicle and brandishing a firearm in a second, successful attempt to carjack another vehicle.

The Defendant is also charged as a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The Defendant is accused of knowingly possessing a 9mm semiautomatic pistol and ammunition, while prohibited due to previous convictions of aggravated burglary and kidnapping in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

If convicted, a defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the Defendant’s prior criminal records, if any, the Defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Akron Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter E. Daly and Toni Beth Schnellinger Feisthamel.