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Nebraska man sentenced to 10 years for bank robbery planned with ChatGPT
Deron Lewis-Payne, a 23-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for robbing i3Bank at gunpoint. The United States Attorney鈥檚 Office for the District of Nebraska announced on August 19 that Lewis-Payne received 37 months for bank robbery and an additional 84 months for brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, with sentences to run consecutively. He will also serve five years of supervised release. The incident occurred on February 10 when Lewis-Payne entered the bank, pointed a semi-automatic handgun at two employees, and threatened to kill them if they did not comply. He escaped with approximately $9,175. Investigators identified Lewis-Payne through surveillance footage showing his unmasked face, distinctive outfit including red Nike slides, and the vehicle used in the robbery. A key part of the investigation involved examining Lewis-Payne's phone, which revealed he used ChatGPT to plan the robbery. His queries included advice on law enforcement response times, how to repair a Llama Mini-Max .45 handgun, and how to obtain ammunition as a felon. His Google Maps history also showed searches for directions to i3Bank. After the robbery, Lewis-Payne reportedly went on a shopping spree. When located by officers, he fled, abandoning cash. A search of his residences uncovered currency, the vehicle, and clothing worn during the robbery. Lewis-Payne admitted to driving the vehicle but denied participating in the robbery. The handgun was no
