An Oklahoma man who allegedly stole fuel from a state vehicle and led local authorities on a pursuit last fall has pleaded guilty in federal court to two separate incidents of bank robbery.
Jerry Ray Brown, 44, admitted to two counts of robbery through intimidation, according to the US Attorney’s Office in Tulsa. Brown admitted to robbing banks in Skiatook and Sperry as part of separate incidents in 2020, taking almost $320,000 total after demanding bank employees to take him to their vaults and to open their ATMs.
If convicted, Brown faces up to 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count.
Last October, Brown allegedly tried to take fuel from a Kansas Department of Transportation tractor before leading a chase from south of the Emporia Municipal Airport into south Emporia. He was eventually arrested and charged with flee and elude, fuel theft and other charges. Lyon County prosecutors put their case against Brown on hold while the federal proceedings resumed in Oklahoma, and they say there is a chance the local case could restart after Brown’s sentencing on federal charges — but at this time, there is no guarantee exactly when that will happen.
