Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

District of Kansas

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Topeka Man Sentenced to Federal Prison For Armed Robbery

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man was sentenced Tuesday to 43 months in federal prison for taking part in an armed robbery, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Zennie Lee Vasser, II, 32, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting armed robbery. In his plea, he admitted that on June 4, 2014, he was captured on video holding open the door while co-defendant Charles Steele brandished a firearm and forced a store clerk to give him money from the cash drawer of Check Into Cash at 3711 S.W. Plaza Drive in Topeka. Investigators learned that Vasser was present with Steele and Steele’s twin brother, Lamar Steele, planned the robbery. Vasser agreed to enter the store and engage the clerk while Charles Steele committed the robbery. Lamar Steel agreed to drive the getaway car.

Charles Steele is set for sentencing June 6. Lamar Steele is set for sentencing March 14.

Grissom commended the Topeka Police Department, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.