Hutchinson Man Pleads Guilty to Robberies

WICHITA, KS—A Hutchinson, Kan., man has pleaded guilty to three armed robberies, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Michael L. Currie, 33, Hutchinson, Kan., pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a robbery.

In his plea, Currie admitted to the following:

• On Dec. 14, 2010, he robbed the Pic Quick convenience store at 1000 W. 30th in Hutchinson. He was armed with a .22 caliber rifle, which he used to threaten the store clerk. He fled the store with the money.
• On Dec. 18, 2010, he robbed the Knipes Liquor Store at 600 S. Main in Hutchinson. He was armed with a pellet rifle, which he used to threaten the store clerk before fleeing with the money.
• On Dec. 27, 2010, he attempted to rob the Kwik Shop convenience store at 1701 N. Monroe in Hutchinson. He was armed with a pellet pistol, which he used to threaten the store clerk. He demanded money but left without any cash after struggling with the store clerk.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 8. He faces a maximum penalty 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each of the robbery counts. On the charge of brandishing a firearm, he faces a penalty of not less than seven years and not more than life, consecutive to other sentences, and a fine up to $250,000.

Grissom commended the Hutchinson Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Reno County District Attorney’s Office, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch for their work on the case.