Overview

• A San Diego jury found Lightning guilty of 10 kidnapping counts, 12 assault with a firearm counts and four robbery counts in hold-ups at banks in Escondido, Scripps Ranch, Kearny Mesa and Carlsbad between 2019 and 2022.
• Prosecutors say Lightning’s crew targeted banks near freeways for quick escapes and used stolen vehicles as getaway cars while wielding firearms and assaulting employees.
• Investigators linked Lightning to the crimes through his DNA, which was discovered on the driver’s seat of one of the stolen getaway vehicles.
• San Diego Superior Court Judge Polly Shamoon imposed 488 years and eight months to life in prison under consecutive Three Strikes Law terms.
• Lightning faces a separate pending charge for allegedly attempting to escape from custody while jailed in connection with the robberies.