Related Federal Cases
- Steven Michael George Sentenced to 30 Years for Predation, Kansas C… · Missouri
- Steven Michael George, Child Pornography, Kansas City MO, 2023 · Missouri
- Steven Michael George, Trafficking in Child Pornography, Kansas Cit… · Missouri
- Audley M Crable, Firing Gun During Robbery, Kansas 2011 · Florida
- Jermaine Tyrell Patton, Armed Robbery Aiding, Kansas 2016 · Kansas
HEALTH CLUB HEIST
TOPEKA, KAN – A brazen heist at the Genesis Health Club on Southwest 37th Street sent shockwaves through the community on November 24, 2017. That’s when 31-year-old George Bernard Phelps III, a Topeka resident, and an accomplice, stormed the premises, attempting to pry open a money deposit box.
According to court documents, Phelps allegedly instructed an employee to wait in an adjacent room, while he and his accomplice, Lesley Jamar Terrell, Jr., 34, rifled through the box, making off with cash and checks. The would-be thieves fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of clues that would ultimately lead to their downfall.
Police investigation revealed that Terrell, a former overnight maintenance worker at the club, was the mastermind behind the heist. His accomplice, Phelps, would later plead guilty to one count of robbery, admitting to his role in the crime.
Phelps’ sentencing came down to 24 months in federal prison, a relatively light sentence compared to his accomplice, Terrell, who received 28 months behind bars. The differing sentences have raised questions about the severity of the punishment for the two defendants.
U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their tireless efforts in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The case serves as a reminder that crime does not pay, and those who commit such offenses will face the full weight of the law.
As the community breathes a collective sigh of relief, the question remains: what drove these two men to commit such a senseless crime? The answer, much like the perpetrators themselves, remains shrouded in mystery. One thing is certain, however: justice has been served, and the people of Topeka can rest a little easier knowing that Phelps and Terrell will be held accountable for their actions.
Key Facts
- State: Kansas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime