Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Madison, Wis. - John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Keith Gary, 46, Reedsburg, Wis., pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Madison to committing six robberies, one while armed; one attempted robbery; and to unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

The robberies Gary pleaded guilty to were:

1. Klinke Cleaners, Odana Road, on September 18, 2014;
2. McDonald’s, Verona Road, on September 21, 2014;
3. Klinke Cleaners, Park Street, on September 22, 2014;
4. Arby’s Restaurant, Gammon Road, on September 24, 2014;
5. Sally Beauty Supply, Whitney Way, on October 4, 2014; and
6. Papa John’s Pizza, East Washington Avenue, on October 29, 2014.

He also admitted he attempted to rob McDonald’s, West Broadway, Monona, Wis., on October 29, 2014. He admitted that he brandished a firearm during the commission of the September 21 robbery and that he unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon on November 13, 2014.

Gary was identified as the robbery suspect when photos from some of the robberies were released to the media on November 13, 2014. Gary was on probation for a 2006 armed robbery conviction, so his probation agent authorized a warrant for his arrest. The probation agent had also received information that Gary had a firearm in his vehicle.

Later on November 13, Gary was stopped by the Reedsburg Police Department and arrested. A search of the passenger compartment of his car incident to arrest led to the recovery of a .32 caliber revolver and prescription medication in Gary’s name. A consent search of the car led to the later recovery of black nylons in the glove box. A consent search of his residence led to the recovery of tan nylons, .32 caliber

At the plea hearing, the prosecution proffered numerous facts that proved Gary was the robber, including:

1. In each of the robberies, the robber wore either tan or black nylons over his face. DNA analysis of the black nylons found in Gary’s car concluded Gary was the major contributor of the DNA recovered on the nylons.
2. The .32 caliber revolver found in Gary’s car matched the description of the gun used in the September 21 robbery.
3. Gary told a friend about his involvement in five of the robberies, and that friend shared details with the police that were not known to the public.

At the plea hearing, Gary claimed he had committed the robberies because of his drug addiction and he “had to get some money to get some dope.”

U.S. District Judge Peterson scheduled sentencing for July 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.

Gary faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each robbery count. He also faces a mandatory minimum penalty of seven years for the brandishing a firearm count, to be served consecutively to any penalty imposed for the September 21 robbery. On the felon in possession count, because Gary has eight prior armed robbery convictions, he will be subject to a mandatory minimum 15 years in federal prison. As a result, he faces a prison sentence of at least 22 years.

The charges against Gary are the result of an investigation by the Reedsburg, Monona, and Madison Police Departments; Dane County Sheriff’s Office; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Rumbelow.