Lang
2/12/20
The last of three Cedar Rapids men has reached a plea deal in an Iowa City attempted armed robbery case.
Online records show 21-year-old Keith Whittmon-Anderson entered a guilty plea on Tuesday. He had initially been charged with 1st Degree Robbery, Carrying Weapons, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Details of the plea deal have not been released, but online records show new charges of 1st Degree Theft and Going Armed with Intent.
Whittmon-Anderson and 18-year-old Patrick Lucas are accused of approaching a man on North Gilbert Street early the morning of Aug. 1, 2018, with Lucas brandishing a handgun and demanding money. The would-be victim refused, and police say Whittmon-Anderson then took possession of the gun and tried to intimidate the man.
A physical struggle ensued, and the victim fought off the two men, who allegedly fled to a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Sais Troche-Vargas. Police located that vehicle a short time later, claiming to have found the gun and marijuana inside.
If convicted on the original charges, Whittmon-Anderson would have faced up to 28 years in prison. His sentencing is set for April 13th.
Under a plea deal reached in December 2018, charges of 1st Degree Robbery and Possession of a Controlled Substance were dropped against Troche-Vargas. He was given a deferred judgment on a Conspiracy to Commit a Non-Forcible Felony charge and sentenced to three years of probation. A $750 fine was also suspended.
Lucas was charged with 1st Degree Robbery and Carrying Weapons. However, he agreed to a plea deal on the robbery charge, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of 2nd Degree Robbery in exchange for avoiding jail, instead receiving a suspended $1,000 fine and three years’ probation.
The Carrying Weapons charge against Lucas – an aggravated misdemeanor – was remanded to juvenile court.