A 23-year-old Omaha man, Deron Lewis-Payne, has been sentenced to 10 years and one month in federal prison after pleading guilty to robbing a bank and brandishing a firearm during the crime.
Lewis-Payne robbed an i3Bank branch in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 10, escaping with about $9,175 after threatening bank tellers.
The case has drawn attention because investigators found evidence that Lewis-Payne had used ChatGPT during his preparations for the robbery. His phone reportedly contained ChatGPT activity involving questions related to police response times and firearms.
But despite turning to artificial intelligence, investigators say Lewis-Payne left behind enough digital and physical evidence to help connect him to the crime.
Surveillance cameras captured his face, clothing and vehicle around the time of the robbery. Investigators also traced him to Westroads Mall, where cameras reportedly recorded him shopping for different clothes.
His vehicle provided another important lead. When officers later approached him, Lewis-Payne reportedly fled, after which police recovered additional money and other evidence connected to the robbery.
A search of his phone further strengthened the case. Investigators found the ChatGPT activity, while his Google Maps history reportedly showed the bank among locations he had recently searched.
The digital trail, combined with surveillance footage and other evidence, ultimately helped investigators build their case against him.
Lewis-Payne was sentenced on August 13 to 10 years and one month in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Because the sentence is federal, he will not be eligible for federal parole.
The case has also renewed attention around the growing role of AI in criminal investigations, particularly how digital activity can become evidence when linked to real-world crimes.
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