HOUSTON – A Houston man linked to a string of armed robberies at area gas stations, and who tried pleading insanity, has been convicted on all charges.
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According to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas, a federal jury deliberated less than two hours before reaching a verdict. Jurors found Ahmed Oraby Ahmedaly, 42, guilty of attempted robbery, two counts of robbery, and two counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
Prosecutors said Ahmedaly’s crime spree started Feb. 9, 2022, when he walked into a Houston-area gas station posing as a customer before pulling out a 9mm gun and demanding cash. Five days later (on Valentine’s Day), he robbed two more west Houston convenience stores in the same night. In those incidents, investigators said he again threatened clerks at gunpoint and fired shots inside the businesses while demanding money.
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Surveillance footage captured the same blue Honda, which was later linked back to Ahmedaly, at all three locations. Authorities later recovered a loaded 9mm from Ahmedaly’s car at the time of his arrest. Forensic testing also matched the gun to shell casings found at the February 14 robberies.
Jurors also listened to recorded jail calls in which Ahmedaly admitted he was the man on store surveillance video and discussed the firearm used.
Ahmedaly’s defense team argued he was insane at the time of the robberies, and tried to have a friend and a relative as character witnesses, but it was revealed they had minimal contact before the crimes.
Prosecutors also countered with testimony from a forensic psychologist who said Ahmedaly was “faking and exaggerating his psychotic symptoms.” On the stand, he even admitted he knew what he did was wrong.
After five days of testimony, jurors rejected the insanity claim and found him guilty on all counts.
Ahmedaly is expected to be sentenced on Dec. 11, where the 42-year-old faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. He remains in custody until then.