Two Men Plead Guilty to Robbing the First Minnesota Bank in Champlin

MINNEAPOLIS—Yesterday in federal court, a 21-year-old Brooklyn Park man pleaded guilty in connection with the October 26, 2011 armed robbery of the First Minnesota Bank in Champlin. Boyd Jerome Morson, II pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. He was indicted on November 22, 2011, along with Lawrence Deangelo Williamson, age 20, also of Brooklyn Park. On February 28, 2012, Williamson pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. Both pleas were entered before United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen. In their respective plea agreements, the men admitted that on October 26, they robbed the bank while brandishing firearms. They stole $16,900.

According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, the bank was robbed at approximately 10:00 a.m. by two men wearing hoods and masks. After the men entered the bank, Williamson vaulted the counter, brandishing a firearm. He then had the teller accompany him to the safe. Meanwhile, Morson ordered the other bank employees to the safe. Once the safe was open, the men gave the bank employees a black backpack and directed them to fill the bag with money. The men also took a cash-counting machine. They then ordered the bank employees to lie on the floor while they left the premises.

Shortly after the robbery, authorities responded to a vehicle fire in Brooklyn Park. The vehicle matched the description of a vehicle seen at the bank at the time of the robbery. Witnesses told police that after hearing the car explode, they saw a Cadillac leaving the area. Because Morson was known to drive a Cadillac and live in the area, law enforcement decided to conduct surveillance on Morson’s residence.

Later on October 26, authorities spotted two men who matched the description of the bank robbers. The men, along with two females, exited Morson’s residence, placing dark colored bags in a red Toyota. One of the women then drove the vehicle away with the two men seated in the back. Police subsequently made a traffic stop during which the men were identified as Morson and Williamson. In the trunk, police found a backpack that matched the one used in the robbery. In addition, police seized a 9mm pistol, two license plates that had been removed from the burned vehicle, and a piece of the cash-counting machine. Morson’s residence was also searched, and officers found approximately $9,000 in cash, as well as clothing that matched that worn by the robbers.

For their crimes, the defendants face a potential maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Judge Ericksen will determine their sentences at a future hearing. This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the police departments of Brooklyn Park and Champlin. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin S. Ueland.