Two Kansas City Men Sentenced for Armed Robberies

KANSAS CITY, MO—David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that four Kansas City, Missouri men have pleaded guilty to armed robberies at several local businesses and face lengthy mandatory prison terms for using firearms in violent crimes.

Mohammad S. Rashid, 23, and Terrell E. Lewis, 23, both of Kansas City, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes. Rashid was sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Lewis was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 19, 2012, Rashid pleaded guilty to using a firearm during a crime of violence. Lewis pleaded guilty on April 18, 2012, to two counts of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Co-defendant Robert L. Smith, 21, of Kansas City, was sentenced on June 26, 2012, to 12 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to those charges. Ky Lamont Edwards, 20, of Kansas City, was sentenced on May 3, 2012, to 10 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty in a separate but related case to two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Rashid admitted that he brandished a semi-automatic handgun while participating in the robbery of Five Guys Burgers and Fries, 8952 Skyview Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, on November 3, 2009. Edwards admitted that he carried a Kel-Tec style semi-automatic rifle during the robbery. Edwards held a restaurant manager at gunpoint while she opened the safe so that Lewis could take money from the safe. Cash was also taken from the restaurant’s cash registers. Smith drove the getaway car. After fleeing with several thousand dollars, the four men split the proceeds equally.

Lewis also admitted that he participated in the robbery of King Chef restaurant at 1660 E. 63rd St., Kansas City, on October 27, 2009. Lewis took cash from the cash register and a business cashbox while his associates held the employees at gunpoint. Smith admitted that he drove the getaway car for the robberies at both restaurants.

Edwards also admitted that he carried a Kel-Tec style semi-automatic rifle to rob the Fast Stop convenience store, 3500 Independence Ave. in Kansas City, on October 27, 2009. Edwards held the store’s employees at gunpoint while his associates took cash from the registers as well as from the wallet of one of the clerks.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.