Kansas City Man Sentenced for Armed Robberies
| U.S. Attorney’s Office May 03, 2012 |
KANSAS CITY, MO—David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Missouri man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in armed robberies at several local businesses.
Ky Lamont Edwards, 20, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
On January 6, 2011, Edwards pleaded guilty to two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.
In a separate but related case, Mohammad S. Rashid, 23, of Kansas City, has pleaded guilty to using a firearm during a crime of violence. Terrell E. Lewis, 23, and Robert L. Smith, 21, both of Kansas City, have each pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Edwards admitted that he carried a Kel-Tec style semi-automatic rifle during the robbery of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 8952 Skyview Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, on November 3, 2009. Edwards held a restaurant manager at gunpoint while she opened the safe so that Lewis could take money from the safe. Cash was also taken from the restaurant’s cash registers. Rashid admitted that he brandished a semi-automatic handgun while participating in the robbery. Smith drove the getaway car. After fleeing with several thousand dollars, the four men split the proceeds equally.
Edwards also admitted that he carried a Kel-Tec style semi-automatic rifle to rob the Fast Stop convenience store, 3500 Independence Ave., Kansas City, on October 27, 2009. Edwards held the store’s employees at gunpoint while his associates took cash from the registers as well as from the wallet of one of the clerks.
Lewis also admitted that he participated in the robbery of King Chef restaurant, 1660 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, on October 27, 2009. Lewis took cash from the cash register and a business cashbox while his associates held the employees at gunpoint. Smith admitted that he drove the getaway car for the robberies at both restaurants.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Kansas City (Missouri) Police Department.