Hunter/Lang
11/26/20
A 22-year-old Cedar Rapids man expected to be sentenced this week on his involvement in an Iowa City attempted armed robbery case has withdrawn his plea and will now face trial next year.
Keith Whittmon-Anderson had initially been charged with 1st Degree Robbery, Carrying Weapons, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. The charges were updated to 1st Degree Theft and Going Armed with Intent.
Whittmon-Anderson and 19-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 22-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.
The other two reached a plea deal in December 2018. Troche-Vargas was given a deferred judgement on Conspiracy to commit a Non-Forcible Felony and sentenced to 3 years’ probation and a suspended fine. Lucas pleaded down to 2nd Degree Robbery and also given a deferred judgement, a suspended fine and three years’ probation.
Whittmon-Anderson was due to be sentenced Monday. Instead, Judge Andrew Chappell vacated the guilty pleas and rescheduled the case for trial. A Case Management Conference is set for January 15th with Trial due to commence on March 2nd.