Indictment: Topeka Man Brandished Firearm During Robbery at McDonald’s

TOPEKA, KAN. - A Topeka man was indicted Wednesday on charges of brandishing a firearm when he robbed a McDonald’s restaurant, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Brendon R. Thompson, 30, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during the robbery. The indictment alleged that on July 19, 2017, Thompson threatened employees with a gun when he robbed a McDonald’s restaurant at 1100 S. Kansas Avenue in Topeka.

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the robbery charge, and not less than seven years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge. The Topeka Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

Carlos F. Fernandez-Gonzalez, 28, Yucaipa, Calif., is charged in a superseding indictment with one count of possession with intent to distribute 14 kilograms of fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 2.25 kilograms of heroin. The crime is alleged to have occurred May 25, 2017, in Russell County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million on each count. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough is prosecuting.

Robert P. McConnell, 48, Slippery Rock, Penn., owner of Horseshoe Hill Outfitters, is charged with four counts of violating the federal Lacey Act. The indictment alleges he unlawfully took deer in 2014 and 2014 in Allen County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough is prosecuting.

Willie Ben Jordan, Jr., 42, who is in custody, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred July 21, 2017, in Shawnee County.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

Robert Wesley Fox, 54, Marysville, Kan., is charged with failing to register as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. He was found in Marshall County in August 2017.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney is prosecuting.

Howard Dale Burchfiel, 31, Topeka, Kan., is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 17, 2017, in Topeka, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Hough is prosecuting.

Juan Carlos Aguilar, 23, Kansas City, Mo., and Saul Lucio-Murillo, 28, Palmdale, Calif., are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred July 30, 2017, in Saline County, Kan.

If convicted, they face not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs is prosecuting.

Brandon Valerius, 38, William Hancock, 58, Colbie Clayton, 31, and Treasure McCall, 33, all in federal custody, are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In addition, Valerius and McCall are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, Hancock is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and Colbie Clayton is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 4, 2017, in Riley County.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs is prosecuting.

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