PITTSBURGH – Two Ohio men pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court to charges of conspiracy to commit armed pharmacy robbery, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and armed pharmacy robbery, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Mohammed Jibril, age 19, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and Arthur Lee Worthy, II, age 21, of Columbus, Ohio, each pleaded guilty to three counts before Senior United States District Court Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Abdulrahman Abdelaziz Jamea is the leader of numerous well-orchestrated pharmacy robberies in the Western District of Pennsylvania and elsewhere.  He recruited other individuals, including Mohammed Jibril and Arthur Lee Worthy, II, to rob pharmacies.  Jamea researched which pharmacies to rob and then would drive to the location of the pharmacy to be robbed, stake it out, then he and/or his crew would complete the robbery.   

On November 17, 2018, two individuals robbed the Rite Aid pharmacy located on Third Street in Beaver, PA.  One of the males pulled out a black colored automatic pistol and pointed it in the pharmacist’s direction.  Worthy jumped over the counter and inquired about the safe and asked for codeine syrup.  He pulled out a garbage bag then placed prescription pills into the bag.   Based on historical cell site records, it appears that Jamea was on scene at the Rite Aid at the time of the robbery. 

On November 22, 2018, at 2:22 am, two black males robbed the CVS pharmacy on Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh.  One of the males pointed a gun at the pharmacist and told her to open the safe.  Worthy jumped the counter and as the pharmacist opened the two safes, Worthy placed prescription narcotics into a black trash bag.  Jamea was identified on the surveillance video entering the store shortly before the robbery occurred.  As the males fled the store, the getaway vehicle, a red Hyundai Sonata with Ohio registration, owned by Jamea, pulled up and they fled. 

On December 2, 2018, Worthy robbed the Rite Aid in Marietta, Ohio.  He brandished a gun then jumped over the pharmacy counter and pistol-whipped the pharmacist.  He pointed the gun at the cashier and demanded that he open the register.  Worthy was only able to get $447.05 before fleeing in a dark red/maroon four door vehicle with Ohio tags. The weapon, a .177 pellet/BB pistol was found in the parking lot.  There were also text messages between Jamea and Jibril leading up to the robbery. 

On December 7, 2018, at 6:14 am, Worthy robbed the CVS Pharmacy in Erie, Pennsylvania.  He approached the pharmacy counter and demanded drugs and money and threatened to kill the pharmacist. Worthy jumped over the counter and asked for oxycodone and money, then placed prescription narcotics in a Foot Locker bag.  He also took $410 in U.S. Currency before fleeing the store.  Worthy’s fingerprints were lifted from the pharmacy. At 9:09 am, Ohio state patrol initiated a stop on Jibril and Worthy’s rental vehicle.  From the vehicle, officers recovered the Foot Locker bag filled with prescription drugs and $300 from Jibril.  Text messages indicate that Jamea provided Jibril with the address of the pharmacy and told him where to park the vehicle prior to the robbery.  The messages also indicate that Jamea arranged for the rental of the vehicle.  During the time of the traffic stop, Jamea was texting Jibril. 

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for Jibril for April 20, 2020, and for Worthy for April 22, 2020.  The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 25 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.  Pending sentencing, the court ordered both defendants to remain detained.

Abdulrahman Abdelaziz Jamea is pending trial.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Police, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Bridgeville Police Department and the Ohio Highway Patrol, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

PITTSBURGH, PA - Three Ohio residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy to commit armed pharmacy robbery, armed pharmacy robbery, and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribute Schedule II controlled substances, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The seven-count Indictment named Abdulrahman Abdelaziz Jamea, age 21, Arthur Lee Worthy, II, age 21, and Mohammed Jibril, age 19, formerly of Reynoldsburg, Ohio as the defendants.

According to the Indictment, on or about September 27, 2018, and continuing thereafter to on or about May 10, 2019, the defendants conspired to rob numerous different pharmacies while brandishing what appeared to be a firearm, and conspired to possess with intent to distribute Schedule II controlled substances.

The following pharmacies were affected:

• On or about September 27, 2018, the CVS Pharmacy, located at 124 Erie Street, Edinboro, Pennsylvania 16412;

• On or about November 17, 2018, the Rite Aid Pharmacy, located at 1799 Third Street, Beaver, Pennsylvania 15009;

• On or about November 22, 2018, the CVS Pharmacy, located at 4610 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213;

• On or about December 2, 2018, the Rite Aid Pharmacy, located at 301 Greene Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750;

• On or about December 7, 2018, the CVS Pharmacy, located at 3800 Pine Avenue, Erie, Pennsylvania 16508; and

• On or about May 10, 2019, the Rite Aid Pharmacy, located at 417 Chartiers Street, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania 15017.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 25 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendants.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, Pennsylvania State Police, Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, Bridgeville Police Department, and the Ohio Highway Patrol conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.