A Columbus man who committed a series of robberies in Delaware County and other central Ohio locations in 2014 was sentenced to 200 months in prison Tuesday in Ohio District Court.
Thomas E. Shaffer, 63, was ordered to serve 200 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to six counts of interference with interstate commerce by violence and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The sentencing judge, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson, also ordered that Shaffer face five years of supervision after he is released from prison.
Shaffer also agreed to turn in his Smith & Wesson pistol.
Shaffer was in the Delaware County Jail Wednesday awaiting transport to prison.
Court documents report Shaffer used a firearm to commit robberies at five restaurant/bars and one grocery store in central Ohio.
Court records indicate:
• On March 15, 2014, Shaffer robbed The Pub on West Johnstown Road in Gahanna.
• On May 3, 2014, Shaffer robbed Halftime Tavern on Bethel Road in Columbus as well as Brew-Stirs on 23, located on Dillmont Drive in Columbus on Aug. 16, 2014.
• In September 2014, Shaffer robbed the Lazy Chameleon on Presidential Parkway in Powell.
• On Nov. 23, 2014, he committed armed robbery at Villa Nova on North High Street in Worthington.
• On Dec. 7, 2014, Shaffer stole money from Aldi on Orange Center Drive in Lewis Center.
He was arrested on Dec. 8, 2014, by deputies from the Delaware County Sheriff’s office.
He was indicted on federal charges on April 16, 2015.
District court officials said the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office was one of several law enforcement agencies that worked on the case. Others included the FBI, Columbus police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Gahanna police.
