Justin Alexander McClelland Faces Federal Charges in Topeka Robberies

Justin Alexander McClelland, 30, of Topeka, Kan., is staring down federal charges for his alleged role in two armed robberies that terrorized local businesses in early 2017. A federal grand jury returned the indictment Wednesday, accusing McClelland of serving as the getaway driver during violent holdups at Plato’s Closet and a Kentucky Fried Chicken location—crimes that left employees shaken and the community on edge.

The first count traces back to January 6, 2017, when masked men stormed Plato’s Closet at 1580 S.W. Wanamaker Road, brandishing firearms and demanding cash. The second charge stems from January 20, 2017, at 1812 N.W. Topeka Boulevard, where a KFC was similarly hit. In both cases, McClelland is charged with two counts of aiding and abetting robbery and two counts of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during a robbery—each carrying severe federal penalties.

McClelland isn’t the only man tied to the double heists. Joshua Alexander Musgraves, 24, also of Topeka, already pleaded guilty in connection with the same robberies and is scheduled for sentencing on May 14. While details of Musgraves’ cooperation remain sealed, law enforcement sources confirm the Topeka Police Department and the FBI worked in tandem to dismantle the operation, tracking vehicle movements and surveillance footage to piece together the suspects’ roles.

Prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag, a seasoned federal litigator known for pursuing violent offenders with relentless focus. If convicted, McClelland faces decades behind bars, with each firearm charge mandating a minimum sentence on top of the robbery counts—a reality that underscores the gravity of using weapons to fuel street crime.

Separately, three other Shawnee County men were indicted on federal gun charges stemming from prior felony convictions. Dominic M. Bosworth, 24; Gwyndell B. Declerck, Jr., 31; and Kenneth Lee Wade, 29—all face up to 10 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000 for unlawful firearm possession. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led those investigations, reinforcing a broader crackdown on gun crime in northeastern Kansas.

As of now, all defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The indictments represent allegations, not convictions—but for Topeka residents still reeling from armed violence, the arrests signal that federal and local authorities are drawing a hard line. With multiple cases moving toward trial, the spotlight remains fixed on justice—and accountability.