Omaha Man Who Used Chat GPT to Plan a Robbery Sentenced to 121 months for Bank Robbery and Brandishing a Firearm

United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced that Deron Lewis-Payne, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced on August 13, 2026, in federal court in Omaha for one charge of bank robbery and a second charge of brandishing a Llama Mini-Max .45 handgun during a crime of violence. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr. sentenced Lewis-Payne to 121 months' imprisonment: 37 months for the robbery charge and 84 months on the brandishing charge to be served consecutively. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lewis-Payne's release from prison, he will begin a five-year term of supervised release.

On February 10, 2026, Lewis-Payne, entered the i3Bank at 15645 Spaulding St. in Omaha and robbed the bank while brandishing a black semi-automatic handgun and demanding money from two bank employees.

He pointed the handgun at the tellers and told them he would kill them if they did not comply, prompted them to empty their cash drawers, and warned them not to include any dye packs with the cash. The tellers complied and Lewis-Payne took approximately $9,175.00 in cash before fleeing.

i3 Bank surveillance captured his unmasked face and distinctive outfit, including red Nike slides. The footage clearly depicted his face and the handgun used. Residential surveillance cameras located near the bank captured the vehicle he used, including the plates and distinctive features to include a toolbox and particular rust spots.

After the robbery, video surveillance footage and transaction records from multiple retailers at Westroads Mall showed that Lewis-Payne went on shopping spree in which he used cash to buy shoes and clothing apparel. When officers located him near one of his residences, he ran abandoning banded cash in his wake. A search of his residences revealed another currency band, the vehicle used, and most of the outfit he wore during the robbery, including the distinctive red Nike slides.

Lewis-Payne admitted to driving the vehicle, but denied involvement with the bank robbery. He consented to a search of his phone. Officers examined the contents and determined Lewis-Payne used ChatGPT to plan the robbery, including advice on law enforcement response times, how to strip and repair a Llama Mini-Max .45 handgun, and for advice on obtaining ammunition as a felon. Additionally, his Google maps history showed he had most recently searched for directions to i3 Bank.

The handgun was never recovered. Officers recovered $2,397.00 of the $9,175.00 taken during the robbery.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.