Reynolds man sentenced to 20 years for armed robbery in Houston County

The charges stem from a September 11, 2024, robbery at the Dollar General located at 104 Plaza Connector in Perry.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Reynolds man pleaded guilty to armed robbery and was sentenced to prison without the possibility of parole, according to Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards.

64-year-old Johnny Ray Parks was sentenced on July 7. Parks received a 20-year sentence, with the first 16 years to be served in the Georgia Department of Corrections without parole. He pleaded guilty to armed robbery just before jury selection was set to begin in his trial.

The charges stem from a September 11, 2024, robbery at the Dollar General located at 104 Plaza Connector in Perry. Officers with the Perry Police Department responded to the scene and found the store clerk visibly shaken.

The clerk told officers that a man wearing a blue jumpsuit, blue hat and surgical mask entered the store and lingered before approaching the counter. The suspect announced a robbery, threatened to shoot her if she did not comply and kept one hand in his pocket as if he was armed. The clerk handed over money from the register.

The suspect then forced the clerk to take him to the store manager and instructed the manager to open the safe. After receiving additional money from the safe, the suspect fled the scene.

Surveillance footage from the Dollar General and a nearby business showed the suspect being dropped off and entering the store. Investigators obtained a partial license plate from the footage, which was traced through the Flock license plate reader system to a vehicle registered to Parks.

Officers located Parks’ residence and confirmed that he matched the physical description of the suspect. A search warrant was obtained, and investigators recovered several items reported stolen, along with a blue jumpsuit and boots matching those seen in the surveillance video.

Parks was taken into custody, advised of his Miranda rights and confessed to the robbery.

District Attorney Eric Edwards released the following statement:

“There is no excuse—at any age—for terrorizing working people with the threat of violence. This defendant walked into a store where someone was just doing their job and made her fear for her life. That’s not desperation. That’s a choice. And in Houston County, choices like that come with consequences. I’m proud of the Perry Police Department and our Chief Assistant District Attorney Greg Winters for making sure justice was delivered swiftly and decisively in this case.”

Assistant District Attorney Winters released the following statement:

“The safety of our community is our top priority, and violent crime will not be tolerated. The swift response and diligent investigation by the Perry Police Department in this case reflect an unwavering commitment to protecting those who live and work here. No one should feel unsafe while doing their job or serving our neighborhoods. We will continue to pursue those who threaten that safety and hold them fully accountable under the law. I would like to thank Investigator Conner of the Perry Police Department, along with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and the Reynolds Police Department, for their efforts in bringing Mr. Parks to justice.”