After Two Years, McDonald’s Robbery Suspect Sentenced

After more than two years since his arrest, the suspect in the robbery of the now-closed McDonald’s restaurant in Fairbury finally learned his fate when he was sentenced to the Nebraska Department of Corrections for 17 to 18 years. The robbery took place the evening of Saturday, April 16, 2022.Plea Agreement The defendant, Marzeanis Coleman, age 34, of Lincoln, appeared in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, May 2, 2024. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge. Coleman was originally charged with five counts: robbery, a class 2 felony punishable by one to 50 years in prison; first degree assault, also a class 2 felony; possession of a stolen firearm, a class 2A felony punishable by 20 years in prison; operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine; and first offense reckless driving, a class 3 misdemeanor punishable by three months in jail, a $500 fine and up to a year license revocation. On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Coleman advised the court he had waived his right to a jury trial and accepted a plea agreement from the State.In accordance with the plea agreement, Coleman pleaded guilty to an amended charge of attempted robbery a class 2A felony. All other charges were dismissed.There was no agreement as to sentencing. ArrestAt approximately 11:19 p.m., the evening of Saturday, April 16, 2022, Jefferson County Deputies and an ambulance responded to a 911 call from a McDonald’s employee who said there had been a robbery and a female employee has been assaulted and needed medical attention. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, there was already a deputy on duty nearby at the time of the call. The deputy, “observed two black males running south through the large parking near McDonald’s and headed south across Hwy 136 and ran south on J Street.” In a prior hearing, County Attorney Joseph Casson said that the suspects entered the restaurant after closing, “wearing COVID masks.” Casson said the suspect took $2,600 from the manager, who had been counting the money, and refused to allow her to call 911. According to the sheriff's office, the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle, which was later recovered in Beatrice. Bodycam video that was reviewed during a Motion to Suppress hearing showed Coleman encountering law enforcement in Beatrice near the vehicle, where a search was being conducted for the suspects. He was arrested at the scene. It was Coleman's contention that he had not arrived in Beatrice in the vehicle but had hitch hiked from Fairbury to Beatrice. Criminal RecordColeman has a prior criminal record in Nebraska. All the following cases took place in Lancaster County Court.In 2016, Coleman pleaded Guilty to unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, a class 2 misdemeanor. He was fined $500 and given 50 hours of community service.In 2015, Coleman pleaded No Contest to unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, a class 1 misdemeanor. He was fined $1,000 and given 47 hours of community service.In 2014, Coleman pleaded No Contest to two counts of third-degree assault, both class 1 misdemeanors and sentenced to 270 days in jail.In 2013, Coleman pleaded Guilty to assault and was sentenced to a $400 fine and 40 hours of community service. Pro Se DefendantColeman was originally represented by Public Defender Scott Gropp. However, on September 7, 2023, he asked Judge Bargen to remove Gropp and assign a different attorney. The judge denied the motion.At a hearing the following week, September 14, the defendant indicated he had obtained new counsel, attorney Dustin Garrison, who had filed a Motion for Discovery. However, Garrison later filed a motion to withdraw, which was granted on October 12. The judge granted Coleman's motion to proceed.After that, Coleman was granted permission to proceed court pro se, meaning he waived his right to counsel and opted to represent himself. He did have appointed standby counsel, attorney Lee Timan. While a defendant has the right to self-representation, courts often appoint standby counsel, sometimes called advisory counsel, a lawyer who assists the defendant with navigating the legal system.Timan spoke on behalf of Coleman during the sentencing hearing.Sentencing Judge Bargen ordered a PSI (Pre-Sentencing Investigation). The PSI recommended a straight sentence, as did the county attorney. Timan requested probation for his client, “We would ask the court just to give him a chance.”“This is not who he is. It is just something he was involved in,” said Timan, who also pointed out Coleman had not had a conviction since 2016. No victim impact statement was read in court. “In crafting a sentence,” Judge Bargen said to the defendant. “I have worked very hard to balance a number of things.” The judge said, “It was just a very brazen act.” Judge Bargen sentenced Coleman to 17 to 18 years in prison, with credit for 697 days time served.

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