June 15, 2015

Topeka Man Pleads Guilty in Valero Robbery, Shooting

TOPEKA, KS—A Topeka man pleaded guilty Monday to a federal charge of robbing a Valero gas station and shooting the clerk, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Corey Eugene Johnson, 41, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. In his plea, he admitted that on July 28, 2013, he robbed a Valero gas station at 1161 S.W. Gage in Topeka.

Johnson was carrying a .40 caliber handgun when he entered the store and demanded money from the cash register. Seeing a customer at the counter, Johnson ordered him to the floor and put his foot on the customer’s head. When a clerk refused to turn over money from the cash register, Johnson shot the clerk several times. Then Johnson ordered the customer to open the cash register. Johnson fled the store in a black Monte Carlo. Police found the wounded clerk, who was taken to the hospital and survived the shooting.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 24. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine up to $250,000.

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