LAWRENCE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO BANK ROBBERY

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Lawrence man faces at least 7 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to brandishing a firearm during a robbery at the Capital City Bank in Topeka.

Christopher Lee Jackson, 22, pleaded guilty Monday during an appearance before U.S. District Judge Julie A. Robinson. In his plea, he admitted that on May 27, 2006, he robbed the Capital City Bank, 2040 Northwest Topeka Blvd in Topeka.

“Mr. Jackson brandished a .22 caliber revolver during the bank robbery, which means he will face a mandatory minimum sentence of not less than 7 years,” said U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren.

According to Jackson’s plea, he exited the bank and fled in a car driven by his brother, Dana Shawn Worford. They were stopped less than 15 minutes later by Kansas Highway Patrol troopers who had been given a description of the vehicle when it left the bank.

Jackson is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 16. Worford, who is charged with armed robbery, too, is scheduled for trial Aug. 15.

Melgren commended the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which investigated the case, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough, who is prosecuting.