Defendant Sentenced for Series of Armed Robberies Outside Retail Stores

DATE : May 18, 2026

CASE: William Ellis (23FE012957)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Danny Lee, Major Crimes Unit

On May 15, 2026, the Honorable Steve White sentenced William Ellis to 251 years to life in prison. Allegations that Ellis suffered two previous strike convictions and multiple aggravating factors were also found true after a bench trial. On April 22, 2026, Ellis was convicted by a jury of seven counts of robbery and felony evasion. The jury also found true that Ellis personally used a firearm in each of the robberies and multiple aggravating factors.

In three separate incidents in July and August 2023, Ellis used a firearm to threaten and rob victims of jewelry and personal property, including family heirlooms and wedding rings. Several victims were families with young children. Ellis pointed a revolver at his victims, including pressing it against the ribcage of a 5-year-old boy and the body and neck of a 15-year-old girl. The robberies occurred in parking lots outside retail stores as the victims were getting into their vehicles.