23-Year-Old Sentenced for ChatGPT-Assisted Bank Robbery

Deron Lewis-Payne, aged 23, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison on August 13 after being convicted of armed bank robbery and firearm charges. Prosecutors revealed that he utilized ChatGPT to prepare for the robbery, which occurred on February 10 at the i3Bank branch located at 15645 Spaulding St. Lewis-Payne entered the bank with a black semi-automatic handgun, threatened two tellers, and demanded money without dye packs, ultimately stealing $9,175.

Investigators discovered evidence on his phone, including searches related to police response times, firearm maintenance, and Google Maps queries for the bank. Surveillance footage and vehicle tracking further linked him to the crime.

Following the robbery, he was seen shopping at Westroads Mall before being arrested the next day. The court imposed a 37-month sentence for the bank robbery and an 84-month sentence for brandishing a firearm, to be served consecutively.

Lewis-Payne will also face five years of supervised release post-incarceration.