Three individuals from Topeka received prison sentences in connection with an armed robbery at a Kansas business that was facilitated by an employee, according to a July 24 announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Court documents state that in October 2023, Aaron Elizabeth Fish, 35, Katelyn Nichole North, 34, and Mejia Jawon Pattillo, 50, all of Topeka, planned the robbery of a cash advance business on Southwest 10th Avenue. Fish was employed at the business and provided her co-conspirators with information about the building’s layout and security measures. She also arranged for larger cash deposits to ensure more money would be present during the planned robbery.
On October 16, 2023, Pattillo confronted an employee who was unlocking the door in the morning. He placed what appeared to be a handgun at the back of the victim’s head and ordered them inside. Pattillo then forced the victim to disable the alarm system and open the safe before stealing cash from it. After leaving with the stolen money, North assisted Pattillo by hiding both the currency and getaway vehicle used during the crime.
Pattillo pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and received a sentence of 140 months in prison. Fish pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery and was sentenced to 78 months’ imprisonment. North pleaded guilty to one count of accessory after the fact to a Hobbs Act Robbery and received an 18-month prison sentence.
“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 this case. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas advances justice through federal law enforcement efforts across areas such as Kansas City, Wichita, and Lawrence, collaborates with Project Safe Neighborhoods initiatives, enforces laws against terrorism or discrimination, while offering public education programs including victim support services, according to its official website.