TOPEKA, KAN. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Kansas), published as received.

TOPEKA, KAN. –  Three defendants received prison sentences in connection with an armed robbery at a Kansas business that an employee helped to orchestrate. 

According to court documents, in October 2023, Aaron Elizabeth Fish, 35, Katelyn Nichole North, 34, and Mejia Jawon Pattillo, 50, all of Topeka planned a robbery of a cash advance business in Topeka. Fish worked at the business on Southwest 10th Avenue and provided details to her co-conspirators about the building layout and security. Fish also placed cash deposit requests to increase the amount of cash that would be on site at the time of the planned robbery.  

On the morning of October 16, 2023, Pattillo approached an employee who was unlocking the door, placed a weapon that appeared to be a handgun at the back of the victim’s head, and ordered the victim to go inside. Pattillo forced the victim to disable the alarm and take him to the safe where Pattillo stole cash. 

After Pattillo fled the scene, North helped Pattillo to hide the stolen currency and the vehicle used during the crime. 

Pattillo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and was sentenced to 140 months in prison.

Fish pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and was sentenced to 78 months of imprisonment.

North pleaded guilty to one count of accessory after the fact to a Hobbs Act Robbery and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. 

“Aaron Elizabeth Fish and her co-defendants deliberately planned a robbery at her place of employment during a time she wouldn’t be at work. She had the gall to put her coworker in fear for their life but didn’t want to be there to witness their terror,” said U.S Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser. “Our office will use applicable federal statutes and every tool at our disposal to hold violent criminals accountable.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Topeka Police Department investigated the case.

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