DOB: 08/11/1995

Case Number: CF2100079

St. Johns County Defendant Convicted of Armed Robbery

ST. AUGUSTINE – After a two-day trial, a St. Johns County jury found defendant Matthew Gilchrist guilty as charged of Robbery with a Firearm and Possession of a Firearm by Convicted In-State Felon.

On Dec. 21, 2020, a clerk working alone at a store near the St. Augustine Premium Outlets was robbed at gunpoint by a man who posed as a customer.

He walked to the register with an item, took out a gun, and demanded money from both cash registers before driving away with about $500. During the robbery, he also made the victim go into the middle of the store and get on her knees.

Investigators identified Gilchrist through surveillance footage, traffic camera video, license plate reader data, and witness statements. They also uncovered similarities between this armed robbery and another in Jacksonville, for which the defendant was arrested days later.

“Gun violence will not be tolerated in our communities,” State Attorney R.J. Larizza said about the case. “We will seek the maximum sentence to ensure the defendant does not have another opportunity to terrorize and threaten innocent, law-abiding citizens.”

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant State Attorney Leah Owens successfully tried the case for the State of Florida. The Honorable Christopher Ferebee heard the case and will impose sentence at a later date. Gilchrist faces mandatory life in prison as a Prison Releasee Reoffender and Habitual Violent Felony Offender.