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Press Release

Indictment: Two Topeka Men Robbed Health Club

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Kansas

TOPEKA, KAN. – Two Topeka men were indicted Wednesday on charges of robbing a health club where one of them used to work, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

 

Lesley Jamar Terrell, Jr., 33, Topeka, Kan., and George Bernard Phelps, III, 31, Topeka, Kan., are charged with one count of robbery. The indictment alleges that on Nov. 24, 2017, the two defendants robbed the Genesis Health Club at 2909 Southwest 37th Street in Topeka.

 

A criminal complaint in the case alleges that a Genesis employee came upon the two defendants in the lobby of the business while they attempted to pry open a box used for money deposits by members of the club. One of the defendants told the employee the robbers did not want trouble and instructed him to wait in an adjacent room. The defendant stood in the doorway of the room with his hand in the waistband of his pants. The defendants removed cash and checks from the box and then fled.

 

When police arrived, the employee told them one of the robbers resembled a former employee of the business. Investigators identified Terrell as a prior employee of the business who worked as an overnight maintenance worker.

 

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Topeka Police Department and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag is prosecuting.

 

 

OTHER INDICTMENTS

 

Xavier Leron Sims, 30, 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 Oct. 21, 2017

 

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 Jared Maag is prosecuting.

 

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

Updated December 13, 2017

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