The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on September 10, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, ALICIA ARIE ARTHUR, a 27-year-old resident of Great Falls, pled guilty to robbery affecting commerce. Sentencing has been set for December 17, 2012. She is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica A. Betley, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On February 21, 2012, around 10:00 p.m., Great Falls Police were alerted to a robbery at the Eagles Lodge. It was reported that three men had robbed a female employee at gun point and then sprayed her in the face with pepper spray. Officers arrived to find the employee absolutely hysterical. She was sobbing and told officers she believed she was going to be shot during the robbery.

Officers began their investigation and found that $3,961 had been stolen from the money drawers. The inside of the building also smelled of pepper spray so badly that the police called the Great Falls Fire and Rescue in order to aerate the room. Police interviewed the victim two days later because she was too upset to speak until that point.

According to the victim, the last customer left the bar around 9:30 p.m. Once the customer left, the victim began to clean the west end of the bar. She did not recall hearing anyone come inside, but heard a male voice tell her to turn around. The victim turned around to see three men who were all dressed in black hooded sweatshirts with their faces fairly covered. The three men then robbed the victim.

On February 23, 2012, Great Falls police received a tip regarding the three men who may have been involved in the robbery. Great Falls police corroborated the assertion that these three male suspects robbed the Eagles Lodge with other evidence and interviews. Police also became alerted that the defendant was involved in the robbery.

Police arrested ARTHUR on February 28, 2012, during a traffic stop. ARTHUR told police she had driven the three suspects to the Eagles Lodge on February 21, 2012. She knew they were going to rob the Eagles Lodge and heard them speaking about the robbery. ARTHUR dropped the three men off to rob the Lodge. They went inside and returned shortly thereafter. She was paid $750 for her role in the robbery. ARTHUR also showed police on a map where she parked the car.

ARTHUR faces possible penalties of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 5 years supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Great Falls Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

 

 

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