A Fargo man has pleaded guilty in Richland County District Court to armed robbery in connection with a convenience store holdup last year in Wahpeton, N.D.
James Kenyi, 20, 1459 W. Gateway Circle, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated assault from the same incident.
Kenyi, a Sudanese native who came to Fargo in the 1990s, apparently could face deportation.
A person's immigration and citizenship status is confidential, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
But noncitizens convicted of any offense carrying a penalty of a year or more in jail may be deported to their home country.
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Armed robbery carries a minimum of four years and a maximum of 10 years in prison, said Ron McBeth, assistant Richland County state's attorney.
Kenyi was in Richland County District Court on Monday. His next court appearance hasn't been set.
James B. Samuel, 21, 920 6th Ave. N., Fargo, is charged with being an accomplice to the robbery. He's expected to enter his plea March 15 in Richland County.
Both he and Kenyi are being held in the Richland County Jail.
Like Kenyi, Samuel came to the Fargo area in the 1990s as a refugee from Sudan.
Richland County court records say this of the holdup: At about 1 a.m. Nov. 16, Samuel and Kenyi drove to a Stop-N-Go at 902 16th Ave. N. in Wahpeton.
Samuel remained in the car while Kenyi entered the store wearing a mask and carrying a gun.
After entering the store, Kenyi fired a rifle and ordered the clerk to give him money from a safe. After receiving the money, Kenyi fired the rifle again, striking the clerk in the leg. Kenyi then left the store.
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Police chased and later arrested the two men.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jonathan Knutson at (701) 241-5530
