Topeka man pleads guilty to abetting robber while wearing monitoring device

A man was wearing a monitoring device when he took part in a robbery in Topeka, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Christopher Allen Bush, 26, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty Monday to one count of aiding and abetting a commercial robbery, according to U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

In his plea, Bush admitted he picked up co-defendant Marsoleno Devon Ryland after Ryland robbed Casey’s General Store at 600 S.E. Rice Road.

At the time of the robbery, Bush was wearing a monitoring device because he was on post-release supervision in a criminal case in state district court, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Data from the GPS device verified that Bush picked up Ryland just south of Casey’s General Store and drove him to the 2300 block S.E. Bellview, where police located the two men shortly after the robbery.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 25. Both parties have agreed to recommend Bush be sentenced to three years in federal prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Co-defendant Ryland is set for sentencing Sept. 18.

Beall commended the FBI, the Topeka Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.