Topeka Man Indicted for String of Robberies and Bank Heist

TOPEKA, KAN – A federal grand jury has indicted Joshua Alexander Musgraves, 24, of Topeka, on eight counts of robbery and one count of bank heist, following a string of incidents over five months.

Musgraves is accused of committing the following robberies:

• January 6, 2017: Plato’s Closet, Topeka (Robbery and brandishing a weapon)
• January 20, 2017: Kentucky Fried Chicken, Topeka (Robbery and brandishing a firearm)
• March 23, 2017: Burger King, Topeka (Robbery and brandishing a firearm)
• March 30, 2017: McDonalds, Topeka (Robbery)
• April 3, 2017: Subway restaurant, Lawrence (Robbery and brandishing a firearm)
• April 4, 2017: Wing Stop, Lawrence (Robbery and brandishing a firearm)
• December 10, 2016: Denison State Bank, Topeka (Bank robbery)

If convicted on these counts, Musgraves faces up to 20 years for each robbery charge, with fines reaching $250,000. The bank heist carries a potential sentence of up to 25 years.

The investigation was led by the Topeka Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is handling the prosecution.

In addition to Musgraves, other individuals were also charged:

• Arlie J. Barhum, 32: Charged with unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
• Mark A. Richardson, 29: Also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction, with the same penalties as Barhum.
• Sandra Rodriguez-Ruiz, 36, Laveen, Ariz.: Charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, facing a minimum of 10 years and a fine of up to $10 million.
• Jaiquan Jahai Wheeler, 20: Charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. He faces a total of up to 25 years and fines totaling $250,000.

In all cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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