FARMINGTON — A Jay man pleaded guilty Friday in Franklin County Superior Court to robbing the Franklin Savings Bank in Jay on July 25.

Active-Retired Judge Robert Clifford sentenced Alan Lewis, 40, to four years in prison with all but six months suspended, followed by three years probation. Lewis has been held in jail on $10,000 cash bail since his arrest.

Jay police arrested Lewis at his residence within 90 minutes of the robbery. His home is near the bank.

Lewis had waived indictment.

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Robbins said if the case went to trial, the court would hear testimony from Jay police officer Russell Adams that he was dispatched to the bank, where the tellers believed they knew the person as Alan. A teller also described the car that he was driving.

After reviewing the security tape, Adams would testify that he also recognized Lewis.

Sgt. Troy Young would testify that he responded to 46 Jewell St. in Jay and saw the car that was described, Robbins said.

Young would testify that he asked Lewis what he was up to, and Lewis responded “yeah, I did it,” Robbins said.

Lewis told him that he was trying to rob the bank nonviolently. When Young asked where the money was, Lewis told him it was in a brown bag in his trailer. Young would testify that he found the money and the bag contained the $1,793 that was stolen, Robbins said.

The teller would testify that Lewis came into the bank and put a note on the counter. She gave him the money, Robbins said.

According to a police affidavit, the note stated, “Give me the money in the immediate area. If you don’t, it will be bad. No dye packs, no buttons. Be good and I’ll leave.”

The joint agreement on sentencing was made after reviewing several other bank robbery cases, and Lewis having an operating-under-the-influence conviction in 2009 and charges of assault and terrorizing in 2004.

Lewis also admitted to substance abuse problems, Robbins said.

Robbins said he discussed the sentencing with bank representatives, and they voiced concern at the low sentence.

He told them that the lack of Lewis’ record, the manner in which he had taken the money and his cooperation with police during the investigation, as well as waiving indictment, all contributed to the lower sentence.

Lewis said he wanted to address the court.

“I know what I did was wrong. I am guilty of it, and I am sorry if I caused anybody fear. I wish I hadn’t done it.”

Lewis was ordered to not have any contact with several bank employees and not to go to any Franklin Savings Bank.

“The main concern is the fear that a bank teller gets” when being robbed, Clifford said.

Lewis’ attorney Thomas Carey said his client did not know the people he was ordered to stay away from and didn’t want an incidental occurrence such as meeting in the grocery store to cause him problems.

Clifford said if it was incidental contact, there would be no problems.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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