Lang
8/24/19
One of three Cedar Rapids men accused in an attempted armed robbery on Iowa City’s north side has entered a not guilty plea.
21-year-old Keith Whittmon-Anderson made the plea earlier this week in Johnson County court to charges of 1st Degree Robbery, Carrying Weapons, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. He and 18-year-old Patrick Lucas are accused of approaching a man on North Gilbert Street early the morning of Aug. 1, 2018, with Lucas brandishing a handgun and demanding money. The would-be victim refused, and police say Whittmon-Anderson then took possession of the gun and tried to intimidate the man.
A physical struggle ensued, and the victim fought off the two men, who allegedly fled to a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Sais Troche-Vargas. Police located that vehicle a short time later, claiming to have found the gun and marijuana inside.
Whittmon-Anderson has a case management conference set for September 27th. Trial is scheduled for November 12th. If convicted on all charges, Whittmon-Anderson faces up to 28 years in prison.
Under a plea deal reached last December, charges of 1st Degree Robbery and Possession of a Controlled Substance were dropped against Troche-Vargas. He was given a deferred judgment on a Conspiracy to Commit a Non-Forcible Felony charge and sentenced to three years of probation. A $750 fine was also suspended.
Lucas was charged with 1st Degree Robbery and Carrying Weapons. However, he agreed to a plea deal on the robbery charge, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of 2nd Degree Robbery in exchange for avoiding jail, instead receiving a suspended $1,000 fine and three years’ probation.
The Carrying Weapons charge against Lucas – an aggravated misdemeanor – was remanded to juvenile court.