CAPE GIRARDEAU — A Poplar Bluff couple pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to the April robbery of a local convenience store.
Ty Dean Farris, 32, and Kelsie J. Armor, 24, each pleaded guilty to one felony count of robbery before U.S. District Judge John A. Ross, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
According to written plea agreements, on April 28, Farris entered the Green Forest Grocery Store.
Farris was wearing a mask over his face to cover his features, but the store clerk recognized Farris in spite of the mask.
The clerk, according to earlier reports, told authorities she believed the subject to be Farris, someone she had known for several years, based on his clothing and his voice.
Farris, the plea agreements further say, pointed a handgun at the clerk. That handgun turned out to be a BB pistol, which closely resembled an actual firearm.
Farris reportedly demanded the clerk give him money from the cash register.
The clerk, the plea agreements say, was afraid the handgun was an actual firearm and that she might be in danger, so she complied.
The clerk, Butler County Investigator Randle Huddleston earlier said, turned over the money from the drawer, as well as the bank bag, which contained an undetermined amount of money.
Farris then left the store, returning to a vehicle that was parked in a nearby storage container business. The vehicle reportedly normally was used by Armor, who was seated in the driver’s seat in that vehicle.
The ensuing investigation reportedly revealed Armor and Farris planned the robbery and planned to use its proceeds to pay a loan due by Farris on a truck.
Armor, the plea agreements say, was aware Farris was going to rob the Green Forest Grocery Store before the robbery occurred.
Armor reportedly drove away from the store for a short while, but then switched places with Farris.
The plea agreements further say Farris drove to a bridge and threw the BB pistol, a shirt, a mask and a black jacket into the stream below.
Farris then drove to his mother’s house in Stoddard County, where officers reportedly were waiting and arrested Farris and Armor.
Before Farris was booked into the Butler County jail, $501.08 in cash was removed from his pants’ pocket, Huddleston said.
“Farris stated that was part of the money he had taken from Green Forest,” Huddleston said.
Jeff Darnell, owner of Green Forest Grocery, initially estimated about $700 in cash and checks had been stolen, said Huddleston.
During the execution of a search warrant on the Toyota Camry Farris and Armor had been driving, officers found $325.10 in cash and rolled coins.
After accepting Farris and Armor’s pleas, Ross set their sentencings for Dec. 16.
At that time, each faces a maximum punishment of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.