Kansas City Man Found Guilty in String of Armed Robberies

KANSAS CITY, KS—A Kansas City, Mo., man has been convicted on federal charges stemming from a string of armed robberies, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

A jury found Abasi S. Baker, 32, Kansas City., Mo., guilty on 21 counts, including seven counts of robbery, seven counts of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, and seven counts of brandishing a firearm during a robbery.

During trial, prosecutors presented evidence Baker committed seven robberies including:

• Jan. 6: Payday Loans, 7636 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
• Jan. 10: Radio Shack, 7612 State Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
• Jan. 12: Payday Loans, 10327 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kan.
• Jan. 16: Dollar Store, 8144 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan.
• Feb. 16: Check Into Cash, 11044 Quivira, Overland Park, Kan.
• Feb. 22: Check Into Cash, 15241 W. 135th, Olathe, Kan.
• March 3: Radio Shack, 6945 W. 75th, Overland Park, Kan.

Co-defendant Mark R. Davis is awaiting trial.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 15. Baker faces the following penalties:

• Armed robbery: A maximum penalty of 20 years without parole in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
• Brandishing a firearm in a robbery: Not less than seven years and not more than life without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
• Unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction: A maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.

Grissom commended the following agencies for their work on the case:

• The FBI and the FBI Violent Crimes/Fugitive Task Force
• The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office
• The U.S. Attorney, Western District of Missouri.
• The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• The Kansas City, Mo., Police Department
• The Kansas City, Kan., Police Department
• The Overland Park Police Department
• The Olathe Police Department
• The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
• The St. Joseph, Mo., Police Department
• The Lee’s Summit, Mo., Police Department
• The Mission, Kan., Police Department
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead, who is prosecuting the case.