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Man gets double life sentence for robbery, murder of Lancaster store owner

by M. Dilworth • October 30, 2014

Timothy Johnson (left) was found guilty on Aug. 1 in connection with robbery that ended in the shooting death of 59-year-old store owner Reed Keith (right).
Timothy Johnson (left) was found guilty on Aug. 1 in connection with a robbery that ended in the shooting death of 59-year-old store owner Reed Keith (right).

LANCASTER – A 26-year-old man was handed two life sentences in connection with a robbery that turned into a homicide at a Lancaster computer store two years ago.

Timothy Jerode Johnson was sentenced in an Antelope Valley courtroom Thursday for robbing and killing 59-year-old Reed Keith at his e-Chaps Computer Store on March 23, 2012.

Around 4 p.m. that day, Johnson entered the store wearing a ski mask and ordered Keith and a friend onto the floor at gunpoint, according to court testimony. Keith’s friend got on the floor, but Keith refused the gunman’s orders and was shot in the knee, chest and head. Johnson then stole computers from the store, along with Keith’s wallet. Johnson also snatched car keys and a cell phone from Keith’s friend, who managed to escape unharmed as Johnson was rummaging the store.

Johnson’s girlfriend, Jinea Ingram, was sentenced 21 years in state prison for driving the getaway vehicle.
Johnson’s girlfriend, Jinea Ingram, was sentenced to 21 years in state prison for driving the getaway vehicle.

Johnson fled the scene in a vehicle driven by his girlfriend, Jinea Ingram. Later that night, authorities recovered the stolen computers and Keith’s wallet from Johnson’s mother’s home in Lancaster.

Johnson was arrested the next day, as he left another girlfriend’s apartment in Los Angeles. Three days later, his getaway driver, Ingram, was also arrested. Both were charged with special circumstances murder and robbery.

After more than two years of court delays, Ingram pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter on May 6. Ingram also agreed to testify against Johnson, and her remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea deal. She was sentenced on Aug. 14 to 21 years in state prison. [Read more here.]

The crime occurred March 23, 2012 inside e-Chaps Computers and More store at 2007 W. Avenue K in Lancaster.
The crime occurred March 23, 2012 inside e-Chaps Computers and More store at 2007 W. Avenue K in Lancaster.

On Aug. 1, a jury found Johnson guilty of first-degree murder with a special circumstance allegation that the killing was committed during a robbery and two counts of second-degree robbery. [Read more here.]

Johnson initially faced life in prison without the possibility of parole. His sentence was doubled at the hearing Thursday after Johnson admitted to a prior “strike” conviction for a 2008 robbery.

Johnson received two consecutive life without the possibility of parole sentences and an additional 25 years-to-life term, according to Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Chung of the Hardcore Gang Division.

Previous related stories:

Getaway driver in Lancaster robbery, murder gets 21 years

Man found guilty of robbing, killing Lancaster store owner

Robbery, murder trial opens

Getaway driver in robbery, murder pleads no contest

Pair ordered to trial in Reed Keith murder

Suspects plead not guilty in computer store robbery, killing

Family, friends, community remember Reed Keith

Alleged getaway driver arrested in Friday’s robbery murder

Gunman ID’d in computer store robbery, killing

Man shot dead in computer store robbery; gunman still at large

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

13 comments for "Man gets double life sentence for robbery, murder of Lancaster store owner"

  1. Wayne Foss says

    November 6, 2014 at 6:22 am

    The death penalty was deserved.

  2. 13 Speed says

    October 31, 2014 at 5:47 pm

    Its not enough,no way.These KILLERS should be Hung,NOW right in front of reeds store for all to see,Or maybe “On The Blvd” 21 Years is a joke

  3. dumbandblind says

    October 30, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    The death penalty should was the least he could have gotten for what he did not lifetime free board and lodging paid by taxpayers.

  4. what says

    October 30, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    Two more losers off the streets of Antelope Valley…Thousands more to go.. : (

  5. Mike C says

    October 30, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    26 years old with no chance of ever seeing the streets again. Too bad they didn’t give him the death penalty. Oh well. Now he gets to wack his pud the rest of his life. What a loser. RIP Reed Kieth. It’s a shame you had to go out like you did.

    • 2sicc says

      October 30, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      Murder does not fix murder if you believes he diserves to die then you are no better this. Only god can judge and you are far from that.

      • Jen D. says

        October 31, 2014 at 4:39 am

        Read the bible……eye for an eye!!

        • bird says

          October 31, 2014 at 11:12 am

          Jen D. You might go back and read again Jen. D.. You took those four words completely out of context, and left the rest of the words out, which completely change the meaning.

      • John says

        October 31, 2014 at 11:02 am

        Murder does not fix murder? Only God can judge?

        What do we do to a dog that kills a person, or a cougar, a bear, a lion? People who kills another have reduced themselves to a mere animal in the eyes of society. Convicted murderers do deserve the punishment of death for they do not know right from wrong. They should not me given the right to life when they have selfishly taken someone else’s life.

        I don’t believe in God. If you believe that only God can judge someone then let’s send the animal to meet his God face to face and be judged.

        • Christian says

          October 31, 2014 at 11:16 pm

          You may not believe in God John, but He believes in you! May He bless you & may you see what He did for you in His Son.

          • William says

            November 1, 2014 at 9:51 am

            They say “Dog is man’s best friend”.

            Maybe they got the letters mixed up.

      • Mike C says

        October 31, 2014 at 12:56 pm

        2sicc, I bet if it was your mom or dad that this guy shot in the knee and then the chest and then another time in the head in order to steal some computer stuff and a few dollars you’d be all for the death penalty wouldn’t you. If we would start executing these scumbags that pull this crap right after their found guilty I guarantee you the murder rate would drop dramatically in this country. People that commit first degree murders with special circumstances deserve to DIE.

  6. AV1990 says

    October 30, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    Glad these people are off the streets, RIP Reed, you deserved better.

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