Show-Me State Times

U.S. District Judge John A. Ross handed down a 17-year prison sentence to Bruce Franklin, a St. Louis man involved in six armed robberies within a three-month period in 2021. Franklin, 64, confessed to targeting various stores, including cell phone stores and a Family Dollar outlet, during his criminal spree.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Dunkel, Franklin's crime spree included robbing the Boost Mobile store at 3636 Page Boulevard, the T-Mobile at 4167 Lindell Boulevard, the MetroPCS at 3949 Lindell Boulevard, and the Family Dollar at 11123 Bellefontaine Road in St. Louis County. Judge Ross disclosed that Franklin also stole cash and even a handgun from an employee during these incidents.

Franklin was not alone in his criminal activities, as he was accompanied by Kristie Meeks during some of the robberies. Meeks, 48, from Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to charges related to the robberies and received an eight-year prison sentence earlier this year.

In October, Franklin pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The investigation into the case involved the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, and the FBI.

The sentencing of Franklin and Meeks comes as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The initiative focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention efforts, setting enforcement priorities, and assessing outcomes.