Birmingham Man Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges

Birmingham Man Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges. Johnny Jerell Effinger, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree robbery and one count of attempted murder before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tracie Todd during a hearing on Tuesday November 12, 2013.  Each charge is a class A felony. Furthermore, is punishable with 15 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $60,000.

These charges stem from the following incidents that took place in 2012:

• On April 2, 2012, Effinger was charged with attempted murder after he shot at another man who he had taken money from.
• On March 20, 2012, Effinger robbed two people at gun point on 1st avenue North. According to the indictment, he stole $100, two cellular phones, a debit card, and a purse from the victims.
• On September 26, 2012, Effinger was involved in a robbery at O’Reilly Auto Parts on Gadsden Highway.  Prosecutors say that he acted as a lookout while another man broke into the business. While he took an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene.

Under a plea agreement with the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office, Johnny Jerell Effinger was given a 20 year split sentence with five years in prison and five years on probation.  If he breaks the terms of his probation, the judge could impose the remainder of his 20 year prison sentence.

Attorney Charles Salvagio represented Effinger in this case.