Man sentenced to 282 years in prison for robbing 10 businesses in 5 months

After a string of armed robberies at 10 businesses scattered throughout Georgia and Alabama, Tariq Khalil Jones, 35, of Tuskegee, Ala., was sentenced to life in federal prison plus 282 years, announced A. Clark Morris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama in a news release.

Jones robbed 10 businesses in five months, from January to May 2016, using a firearm at each crime and, at one point, shooting at a vehicle with a father and 3-year-old child inside and later carjacking a vehicle from a woman in a store parking lot, authorities said. Jones was formally arraigned Sept. 30, 2016, and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges at the time.

Jurors found Jones guilty on each of the 23 counts of his indictment — ten for robbery, one for carjacking, and twelve for using a firearm during the commission of those crimes. Jones already had four previous robbery convictions in state court, which triggered an automatic life sentence. There is no parole in federal prison.

Here is a list of businesses Jones was convicted of robbing.

▪ Dollar General on Notasulga Road in Tallassee, Alabama;

▪ Tiger Spirits on Webster Road, in Auburn, Alabama;

• Chevron Store 10 on West Longleaf Drive in Auburn, Alabama;

• QuikTrip convenience store on East Highway 34 in Newnan, Georgia;

• Marathon Service Station on Lafayette Parkway in LaGrange, Georgia;

• Wing N’ Burger Factory on Hogansville Road in LaGrange, Georgia;

• Papa John’s restaurant on South Memorial Drive in Prattville, Alabama;

• Family Dollar on 2nd Avenue in Opelika, Alabama;

• Family Dollar on Broadnax Street in Dadeville, Alabama; and

• Dollar General on County Road 89 in Camp Hill, Alabama.

“Tariq Jones terrified innocent people by putting a gun in their faces and demanding money,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Morris. “He showed no regard for human life when he shot at a vehicle with a father and his 3 year old daughter inside just because he thought he was being followed. He is a violent criminal and I hope this sentence sends a clear message to other offenders that my office will use all of its power and resources to combat violent crime in our communities.”

This story was originally published August 23, 2017 at 7:25 AM with the headline "Man sentenced to 282 years in prison for robbing 10 businesses in 5 months."