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WINSTON-SALEM (MCT) — A High Point man was sentenced to nearly 55 years in federal prison Tuesday for his role in a string of armed robberies.

During his sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court in Winston-Salem, prosecutors described Keith Lauchon Jackson Jr., 20, as a Crips street gang leader whose crew was responsible for 10 robberies between Dec. 12, 2007, and Jan. 3, 2008, at businesses just off Business Interstate 85 in High Point, Thomasville and Lexington.

Authorities said Jackson participated in the robberies and enlisted others who took part because they wanted to gain favor with him and status in the gang.

"Mr. Jackson was the leader with regard to this crime spree," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Boggs. "Clearly, these were gang-related offenses. Mr. Jackson was the self-professed leader and was able to influence others to engage in these criminal offenses."

Jackson pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy and firearms-related charges. U.S. District Judge James A. Beaty Jr. sentenced him to 54 years and two months in prison. Federal sentences carry no parole.

According to prosecutors, the robberies typically involved two young men armed with shotguns and/or rifles who entered convenience stores and demanded cash from store personnel and customers. In one instance, $10,000 was stolen from a Lexington convenience store.

No one was injured in any of the robberies but a young man at one of the stores was nearly hit when one of the robbers fired his weapon, Boggs said.

Jackson and his accomplices were caught after Davidson County sheriff's deputies stopped a Ford Explorer that matched the description of the suspect vehicle used in robberies on Jan. 4, 2008, near Davidson County Community College. Jackson ran from the scene of the traffic stop but was arrested the next morning while on a pay phone near DCCC.

According to court documents, after his arrest, he told investigators about his gang affiliation and admitted involvement in all the robberies either by personally taking part or sending in one of his accomplices.