Two Topeka Men Plead Guilty in Separate Armed Robberies

TOPEKA, KS—Two Topeka men have pleaded guilty to federal charges in separate armed robberies, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Johnnie Lee McCall, 28, Topeka, Kansas, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting commercial robbery and one count of aiding and abetting brandishing a firearm in connection with a March 1, 2013 robbery at a Little Caesars Pizza.

Jordan Christopher Lucas, 26, Topeka, pleaded guilty to one count of commercial robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in connection with a February 27, 2013 robbery at Baskin Robbins, 4400 S.W. 21st in Topeka.

In his plea, McCall admitted that on March 1, 2013, he was riding in an automobile with co-defendant Alonzo Lax and others when he gave Lax a firearm and directed him to rob the Little Caesars Pizza at 2620 S.W. 6th Street, Suite B, in Topeka. Lax entered the restaurant brandishing the firearm. After taking money from the clerks, Lax got back in the car and the men fled the scene. The men later divided up the money from the restaurant.

Police later recovered the handgun, cash, and clothing from the robbery.

McCall is set for sentencing August 19. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 180 months in federal prison.

Lucas is set for sentencing September 3. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the robbery charge and a penalty of not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge.

Co-defendants in the case include:

• Alonzo Lax, 26, Topeka, who pleaded guilty to robbery and brandishing a firearm during the robbery at Little Caesars. He is set for sentencing August 13.
• David Wigfall, 27, Topeka, who is awaiting trial.

Grissom commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.