MERIDIAN, Miss. (WJTV) – A Meridian man was sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison for four armed robberies across Mississippi.

According to court documents, Matthew Byrd, 42, committed four armed robberies of local businesses between April 20, 2022, and May 15, 2022. The robberies took place in Lauderdale County, Forest County, and Hinds County.

During each robbery, prosecutors said Byrd displayed a firearm to intimidate the clerk and steal merchandise and cash from the business.

Byrd previously pled guilty to three counts of robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, East Mississippi Drug Task Force, Meridian Police Department, Clinton Police Department, Newton County Sherriff’s Department, and the ATF investigated the case.