Two KC Men Plead Guilty to Armed Robbery Conspiracy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Timothy A. Garrison, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that two Kansas City, Mo., men pleaded guilty in federal court today to their roles in a conspiracy to commit 10 armed robberies at local businesses.

Jerry D. Patterson, 22, and Michael A. Harris, 19, both of Kansas City, pleaded guilty in separate appearances before U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to the armed robbery conspiracy and to brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

By pleading guilty today, Patterson and Harris admitted they were involved in a conspiracy to commit 10 armed robberies at area businesses over a four-week period in September and October 2017.

On Oct. 15, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $3,500 at gunpoint from Walgreens Pharmacy, 1536 E. 23rd St., Independence, Mo. They drove Patterson’s red 2007 Pontiac G6 sedan; after officers discovered the vehicle, Patterson and Harrison abandoned it and fled on foot. Investigators searched the vehicle and found a Glock .40-caliber handgun, an extended .40-caliber magazine, money taken from the robbery, and a number of items used in several of the armed robberies. Agents also found a Kahr Arms .40-caliber handgun (seen in several surveillance videos) in a nearby wooded area.

On Oct. 20, 2017, Patterson reported his car stolen. On Oct. 31, 2017, both Harris and Patterson were arrested at their respective apartments. Evidence from the numerous robberies was recovered from each of their homes.

By pleading guilty today, Patterson and Harris each admitted that they committed a series of armed robberies during the conspiracy. Patterson brandished a Kahr Arms .40-caliber handgun in all of the robberies. Harris brandished a Glock .40-caliber handgun in all of the robberies. In addition to the Walgreens Pharmacy robbery on Oct. 15, 2017, Patterson and Harris admitted they committed nine more armed robberies:

•    On Oct. 14, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $4,275 at gunpoint from Walgreens Pharmacy, 9300 Gregory Blvd., Raytown, Mo.;
•    On Oct. 14, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $3,000 at gunpoint from CVS Pharmacy, 6244 S. Brookside Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.;
•    On Oct. 10, 2017, Patterson and Harris robbed Dollar General, 5105 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, Mo., at gunpoint;
•    On Oct. 9, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $3,705 at gunpoint from Walgreens Pharmacy, 2261 S. Sterling Ave., Independence, Mo.;
•    On Oct. 8, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $575 at gunpoint from Domino’s Pizza, 3709 S. Noland Road, Independence, Mo. They also stole $400 from employees.
•    On Oct. 2, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $2,500 from CVS Pharmacy, 5310 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, Mo.;
•    On Sept. 26, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $380 from Family Dollar, 12521 E. 40 Hwy., Independence, Mo.;
•    On Sept. 26, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $150 and some store items at gunpoint from 7 Eleven, 11107 Grandview Rd., Kansas City, Mo.;
•    On Sept. 10, 2017, Patterson and Harris stole $3,500 from Walgreens, 1100 E. 63rd. St., Kansas City, Mo.
 
Under the terms of today’s plea agreements, Patterson and Harris are each subject to a sentence of at least 15 years, up to 25 years in federal prison without parole. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Raytown, Mo., Police Department.