Sioux City Gunman Admits to Multi-State Robbery Spree

SIOUX CITY, IA – A brazen string of robberies stretching across state lines has landed 20-year-old Christopher Bailey, of Sioux City, Iowa, in federal court, where he pleaded guilty March 28, 2013, to multiple felony charges. Bailey confessed to conspiring to rob businesses in both South Sioux City, Nebraska, and his hometown, wielding firearms and putting lives at risk.

According to court documents, Bailey and a crew of at least five others targeted Seoul Foods in South Sioux City on June 19, 2012. The planning and arming for the robbery took place in Sioux City, Iowa, before the group descended on the Nebraska business. The aftermath saw the robbers fleeing back to Iowa, dividing their ill-gotten gains. Disturbingly, the owners and employees of Seoul Foods had their children with them during the robbery – one child was just four years old. A stolen rifle, illegally shortened by one of the conspirators, was among the weapons used.

Less than a month later, on July 13, 2012, Bailey and three others, including fellow Seoul Foods robbers, turned their attention to Sarg’s Mini Mart in Sioux City, Iowa. This time, a single weapon – a short-barreled shotgun with its serial number deliberately obliterated – served as the instrument of intimidation. The group hadn’t settled on Sarg’s immediately, casing businesses across the metro area and even considering banks and other convenience stores before settling on the mini mart.

Bailey’s guilty plea includes two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, one count of robbery, one count each of possessing a short-barreled rifle and a short-barreled shotgun, and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Several co-defendants have already entered pleas: David Johnson (January 4, 2013), Dustin Mathison (January 16, 2013), Rudy Johnson (February 20, 2013), Joshua Fields (February 26, 2013), Terrence Miles and Austin Peters (March 26, 2013). Paige Mathison is scheduled for trial on May 6, 2013, in the United States District Court in Sioux City.

Bailey now awaits sentencing before United States District Court Judge Mark W. Bennett. A presentence report will be prepared before a sentencing date is set. He remains in the custody of the United States Marshal. The potential penalties are severe: up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for the conspiracy and robbery charges. The weapons charges carry a potential 10-year sentence and another $250,000 fine. Most damning, the firearm charges in furtherance of a crime of violence carry mandatory minimum sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment without parole, along with hefty fines and supervised release terms.

The investigation was a joint effort by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department, and the South Sioux City, Nebraska Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney is prosecuting the case. Court file information can be found at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl, case number CR 12-4083. Remember, an accusation is not proof of guilt, and Bailey is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.