Hawkeye Reporter

A Maryland man has pled guilty to additional charges in federal court related to two convenience store robberies and money laundering. Andrew Philip Derr, 22, from Frederick, Maryland, was previously convicted of robbing the Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust on January 3, 2024.

Derr admitted in a plea agreement that after being discharged from the military for misconduct in 2023, he moved to Iowa City and committed several robberies in the Cedar Rapids area. On December 27, 2023, Derr robbed Casey’s General Store in Robins, Iowa, obtaining over $7,000. He also admitted to robbing the Kum & Go store on Four Oaks Drive in Cedar Rapids on January 1, 2024.

Previously sentenced for his bank robbery conviction where he stole over $16,000, Derr confessed to laundering the stolen money by making multiple deposits into his Maryland bank account. On January 3, 2024, after committing these crimes, he flew back to Maryland and deposited more than $4,800 from the robbery proceeds.

When authorities attempted to arrest him at his apartment in Iowa City later that month, they discovered a note saying "Catch me if you can." However, Derr surrendered himself on January 12 at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana.

Sentencing will be scheduled following a presentence report preparation before United States District Court Chief Judge C.J. Williams. Derr remains detained by U.S. Marshals awaiting sentencing. He could face up to 60 years imprisonment along with fines and supervised release conditions post-incarceration. Additionally, he must forfeit all stolen funds and pay restitution.

The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert with investigations conducted by multiple agencies including the FBI and local police departments across Iowa and Louisiana.