Deron Lewis-Payne, a 23-year-old Nebraska man, has been sentenced to 10 years and one month in federal prison for robbing a bank at gunpoint. The heist took place on February 10, 2026, at i3Bank in Omaha.
AI-Assisted Heist
Lewis-Payne used ChatGPT to research police response times, firearms, and ammunition before the robbery. Investigators found this evidence on his phone, which also showed i3Bank as one of his most recent Google Maps searches.
Surveillance and Evidence
Surveillance footage from the bank captured Lewis-Payne's unmasked face and his distinctive red Nike slides. Residential cameras nearby recorded his vehicle, including a toolbox and specific rust spots on the body of the car, as well as its registration plate.
Guilty Plea and Sentence
Lewis-Payne initially admitted to driving the vehicle but denied participating in the robbery. He later pleaded guilty and received 37 months for bank robbery and a consecutive 84 months for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, totalling 121 months in federal prison. He will serve five years of supervised release after completing his sentence.
Digital and Physical Evidence
The case has drawn attention as one of the more documented examples of AI being used in the planning of a violent crime, even as investigators noted that Lewis-Payne left behind a significant trail of digital and physical evidence despite his preparations. Of the $9,175 stolen, investigators recovered $2,397.
Source: Pulse.ng
