Columbia man pleads guilty to 2017 armed bank robbery
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
A Columbia man pleaded guilty in a Jefferson City federal courtroom on Tuesday for his role in a 2017 armed bank robbery.
Damien Powell, 26, pleaded guilty to a count each of armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence.
Powell and two others robbed the Callaway Bank on Bull Run Drive on April 27, 2017. Court documents say Powell and Larome Humphrey walked into the bank with guns, held the firearms to a bank teller's head and demanded money.
Court documents say Powell admitted to stealing about $2,600 from the bank.
The three men led state troopers on a chase following the robbery. Court documents say troopers spotted their getaway car on Interstate 70 East near Kingdom City.
Troopers said the men drove faster than 100 mph during the chase. Court documents show troopers successfully deployed a tire deflation device. Documents show the men ran out of the car after it crashed, but were arrested.
A baby was found inside the car after the chase. Troopers said the 1-year-old child was the son of Humphrey's girlfriend. Her car was used as the getaway vehicle.
Powell could face up to 25 years in federal prison without parole for the armed robbery. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years up to life in prison for the weapons offense.
Powell's co-defendants, Humphrey and Quinton Wilson, already pleaded guilty to the robbery. Documents show Humphery was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
