FARGO — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - North Dakota), published as received.

FARGO - U. S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on Jan. 29, 2016, Andrew Jerome Ford, and Carlos Henry Bethel, both 28, pled guilty before U. S. District Judge Ralph R. Erickson to Interference with the Commerce by Threats and Violence-Hobbs Act Robbery and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence.

On September 28, 2015, Bottle Barn Wine and Liquor, 2515 South University Dr., and The Spirit Shop Liquor Store, 1404 33rd St. S., were robbed within an hour of each other. Bethel pled guilty to robbing Bottle Barn while brandishing a firearm and threatening the cashier to hand over money. Ford has agreed to plead guilty to robbing The Spirit Shop through violence or threat of violence and did knowingly possess a firearm in furtherance of the crime of violence.

As part of the plea agreement Ford and Bethel also agreed that they participated or aided and abetted the following crimes:

(a) A home invasion on June 24, 2015, in Hillsboro, North Dakota, where currency was stolen;

(b) A burglary resulting in a stolen firearm in Hillsboro in or about July through September 2015;

(c) A burglary of a vehicle in Fargo, North Dakota, in which monetary instruments were stolen on or about August 24, 2015, and on or about September 24, 2015;

(d) A burglary of a residence in Fargo, resulting in the theft of five firearms on or about September 24, 2015;

(e) Setting fire to four dumpsters in Fargo in an effort to determine law enforcement response time on or about September 28, 2015, as well as robbery of The Spirit Shop Liquor Store in Fargo;

(f) The pistol whipping assault of a victim resulting in serious bodily injury including unconsciousness on or about September 19, 2015 in Fargo; and,

(g) Conspiracy to distribute marijuana in North Dakota.

Judge Erickson has set sentencing for Ford to be held on April 19, 2016, and Bethel’s sentencing is scheduled for April 25, 2016, in the U. S. District Court, Fargo, ND.

This case is being investigated by the Fargo Police Department and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATFE).

U. S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers is prosecuting the case.