Man pleads guilty to Cape credit union robbery

The man involved in the robbery of the Cape Regional Credit Union pleaded guilty on Monday to one felony count of bank robbery, according to a news release from the federal prosecutor's office.

Adrian Settles, 27, faces a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

On Feb. 6, a man entered the bank, placed a note on the counter before a teller that stated "This is a bank robbery. Put cash in bag. Have a gun." then fled with $19,000, according to the news release.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol later analyzed the note and on it found Settles' fingerprints. A car with Illinois license plates seen near the bank at about the time of the robbery also was discovered to be rented for Settles by a third party from Enterprise Rental Company in St. Louis.

The news release stated that with his guilty plea, Settles admitted that he was not the man who entered the bank but he did write the demand note and aided and abetted in the bank robbery.

Sentencing has been set for Sept. 23.

A Pemiscot County man pleaded guilty, also on Monday, to federal gun and drug charges.

Johnny Lee Razor Jr., 38, pleaded guilty to three felony counts of distribution of cocaine base and one felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the news release, Razor admitted to selling a .357 caliber revolver and, on three separate occasions, a quantity of cocaine base to a confidential informant for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

He faces a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine on each of the distribution charges, and a maximum punishment of life in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of a firearm. Sentencing is set for Sept. 23.

James Andrew Arender, 29, of Steele, Mo., on Tuesday also pleaded guilty to one felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A Pemiscot County deputy in November stopped a vehicle driven by Arender and found a handgun in the back seat area, which Arender admitted to possessing, according to the news release. His sentencing has been set for Oct. 21 and he faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

Pertinent address:

2427 Cape Centre Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO

Steele, MO