A convicted bank robber will serve nearly four years in federal prison, after police recognized him from surveillance video as the victim in a separate investigation.

U.S. Attorney for Kansas Barry Grissom says Carlos Manual Buten, 27, of Dodge City, Kansas pleaded guilty, admitting his role in the robbery of a Western State Bank branch in Dodge City, Kansas on April 17.

 

According to an affidavit, a witness to the stickup said the robber had an accent resembling someone from the Caribbean islands. That information, along with the surveillance photos, helped investigators identify Buten.

Officials say Buten came into contact with police as a victim in another investigation. Police served a warrant on the home of a co-defendant. Buten was arrested at a motel where he was staying in Wichita.

Co-defendant Tammy L. Harris, 38, Dodge City, is awaiting trial on one count of being an accessory after the fact to the bank robbery and one count of making a false statement to the FBI. Prosecutors say she denied knowing about the bank robbery after she drove Buten to Wichita.