Sept. 18, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paul Jarvey 508 368-7241
WORCESTER – A 28-year-old former Fitchburg man was sentenced to 8-10 years in state prison today after being found guilty last week of a string of armed gas station robberies while masked, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
A Worcester Superior Court jury on Thursday found Zackery Barnes guilty of five robberies that occurred between Jan. 13 and Jan. 27, 2017 in Fitchburg and Leominster. He covered his face with a mask and brandished a knife during each of the robberies.
Judge Shannon Frison imposed concurrent 8-10 year sentences for each conviction.
The defendant, who was living in Fitchburg at the time of the robberies and later moved to Webster, was also convicted of driving with a suspended license and sentenced to 10 days in jail. That sentence is also to be served concurrently with the other sentences.
Assistant District Attorney Michael D. McHugh recommended a sentence of 10-12 years in prison for the robberies.
Mr. Early praised Mr. McHugh for his prosecution and Fitchburg and Leominster police for their investigation.