Minneapolis Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing the Same Bank Three Times

April 28, 2010 - A 21-year-old Minneapolis man pleaded guilty today in federal court in St. Paul to robbing the same US Bank, located at 4930 34th Avenue South in Minneapolis, on three separate occasions. Nathan Lamar Stewart appeared before United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz to enter a plea of guilty on three counts of bank robbery and one count of carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Stewart was indicted, along with three co-defendants, on November 10, 2009.

In his plea agreement, Stewart admitted that he and co-defendants Curtis Devone Williams, age 24, and Michael Deon Hughes, age 23, both of whom are also from Minneapolis, forcibly stole $5,710 from the bank on April 13, 2009. In the takeover-style robbery, during which Stewart was masked, the men used a gun to intimidate others, particularly the tellers, into following their instructions. The plea agreement states that Hughes actually brandished the weapon, although Stewart was fully aware the gun would be used. Stewart also admitted that on May 28, 2009, he was found in possession of that gun, a Ruger 44-caliber Magnum Super Blackhawk revolver.

In entering his plea, Stewart further admitted that on May 8, 2009, he, Williams, and Hughes once more forcibly took money from the bank, this time $4,371. Again Hughes brandished the 44-caliber revolver, and again Stewart admitted knowing the gun would be used during the crime.

Finally, Stewart admitted that on July 28, 2009, the three men, along with D’Arco Kellum, age 22, also of Minneapolis, stole $5,341 from the bank by use of force. During that robbery, Hughes was armed with what appeared to be a rifle.

On December 22, 2009, Kellum pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. In entering his plea, Kellum admitted the men used a dangerous weapon in the commission of the July 28, 2009, robbery.

Also on December 22, 2009, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and one count of carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. Williams admitted to participating in the April 13, 2009, robbery. He also admitted that during that robbery, he knew Hughes was carrying a gun to aid in the crime. That knowledge is the basis for the firearms charge against him.

Hughes pleaded guilty on January 7, 2010, to three counts of bank robbery and one count of carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. In his plea agreement, Hughes admitted stealing $5,710 from the bank on April 13 as well as brandishing a revolver during that robbery. In addition, he admitted stealing $4,371 from the bank on May 8 and $5,341 on July 28. He also admitted being armed with a gun during those robberies.

For their crimes, the defendants face a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each bank robbery count and life in prison on the firearms charge. Judge Schiltz will determine their sentences at a future date, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp.