Source: Office of United States Attorneys
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to his role in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies across the state over a four-day period.
Kentrail M. Collins, 26, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to one count of conspiracy to commit robbery, five counts of robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
By pleading guilty today, Collins admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to commit a series of armed robberies from Jan. 5 to Jan. 8, 2023. Collins pleaded guilty to the armed robberies of three businesses on Jan. 5, 2023 – the Petromart at 1004 N. Stadium in Columbia, Mo., the Breaktime at 2241 Pioneer St. in Boonville, Mo., and the Casey’s at 807 S. Broadway in Oak Grove, Mo. Collins also pleaded guilty to the Jan. 8, 2023, armed robberies of Casey’s at 5869 N. Main in Joplin, Mo., and Lamarti’s Truck Stop at 71 US 160 in Lamar, Mo.
Collins also admitted that he was in possession of a loaded Taurus 9mm luger pistol with an extended magazine. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Collins has felony convictions for burglary, robbery and resisting arrest.
On Jan. 9, 2023, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper pulled over a black Honda Accord being driven by Collins. Collins initially pulled over but then fled when the trooper began walking up to his vehicle. The trooper pursued Collins and the chase reached speeds up to 120 miles per hour. Collins lost control of his vehicle, crashed, then fled on foot. The trooper continued to pursue Collins on foot and eventually found him hiding behind some bushes. After Collins was arrested, officers found the Taurus pistol on the front passenger seat of the Honda he had been driving.
Under federal statutes, Collins is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan A. Baker. It was investigated by the FBI, the Columbia, Mo., Police Department, the Boonville, Mo., Police Department, the Oak Grove, Mo., Police Department, the Jasper County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Barton County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.