A string of seven drugstore stickups could net a Lyndora man up to 24 years in state prison.

Robert James Gourley, 39, on Wednesday pleaded guilty or no contest to seven counts of robbery.

According to Butler County court records, Gourley entered a plea arrangement with the county district attorney's office. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will drop additional charges and recommend a cumulative sentence of 5 to 24 years in state prison.

Gourley's sentencing is set for April 22 before Judge William Shaffer.

Neither representatives from the district attorney's office nor Gourley's attorney, Alexander Lindsay of Butler, could be reached for comment.

Court records indicate the robberies involved are:

• Saxonburg Drug on Pittsburgh Street, Nov. 24, 2008.

• Klingensmith Drug in Freeport, Sept. 30, 2008.

• Saxonburg Drug, Nov. 7, 2008.

• Rite Aid, Grandview Avenue in Mars, Aug. 20, 2008.

• Rite Aid, Point Plaza Shopping Center, Butler Township, Nov. 25, 2007.

• Rite Aid, Point Plaza Shopping Center, Butler Township, June 9, 2008.

• Rite Aid, Greater Butler Mart, Butler Township, April 14, 2008.

In each case, witnesses said the robber demanded the prescription painkiller OxyContin, but took no other merchandise or money.

In all but one instance, witnesses reported seeing the robber with a handgun. In two of the crimes, the robber claimed to have a bomb.

The robber, according to court records, wore a long black wig and ball cap and covered his face in different fashions, including use of a bandanna, sweatshirt or surgical tape.

Witnesses reported the robber had a "hacking cough" and an odd gait.

Gourley, reportedly a father of two, was arrested Nov. 24, 2008, following a second holdup at the same Saxonburg drugstore.

That robbery, according to court records, was the lone case that Gourley admitted to investigators and entered a guilty plea.

In the other cases, court records show that Gourley pleaded no contest.

A no-contest plea does not acknowledge guilt, but means the defendant does not want to fight the allegations at trial. The plea is given the same weight as a guilty plea at the time of sentencing.