Second Defendant Pleads Guilty In Newton Armed Robbery

 WICHITA, KAN. – A second defendant pleaded guilty today to an armed robbery at a convenience store in Newton, Stephen McAllister said.

Rico Montes, 28, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. In his plea, Montes admitted he and co-defendant Jorge Correa, 25, Wichita, robbed the EZ Trip at 100 S. Main in Newton, Kan., while another man waited in the car. Montes and Correa were armed when they entered the store.

Montes is set for sentencing Dec. 16. He could face a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

Correa pleaded guilty last week and is set for sentencing Dec. 8. He admitted firing several shots during the robbery. No one was injured. A third defendant, Jeremiah Urias, 18, Wichita, who is alleged to have driven the getaway car, is set for a change of plea hearing Oct. 13.

McAllister commended the FBI, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Newton Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger for their work on the case.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.