Lang
4/18/21
Sentencing is set for Monday for a suspect in an Iowa City armed robbery case.
22-year-old Keith Whittmon-Anderson of Cedar Rapids reached a deal with prosecutors and entered a guilty plea in February. He’s charged with 1st Degree Robbery, Carrying Weapons, 1st Degree Theft, Going Armed with Intent and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Police say Whittmon-Anderson and 19-year-old Patrick Lucas approached 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.
Troche-Vargas and Lucas reached plea deals in December of 2018. Troche-Vargas was given a deferred judgement on a charge of Conspiracy to Commit a Non-Forcible Felony and was sentenced to 3 years’ probation and a suspended fine. Lucas pleaded down to 2nd Degree Robbery and was also given a deferred judgement, a suspended fine and three years’ probation.
If convicted on the original charges, Whittmon-Anderson would have faced up to 28 years in prison. His sentencing is set for 1:30 Monday afternoon at the Johnson County Courthouse.