# Nebraska bank robbery involving ChatGPT planning

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nebraska-bank-robbery-involving-chatgpt-planning
> Updated: 2026-08-23T13:03:45.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Deron Lewis-Payne, a 23-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for a bank robbery committed in February 2026.

Investigators utilized Lewis-Payne’s ChatGPT conversation history as critical evidence. The chat logs contained queries regarding police response times, methods for repairing a .45-caliber pistol, and how a former convict could obtain ammunition. Additionally, Google Maps history helped establish a route to the i3Bank branch on Spaulding Street.

During the robbery, Lewis-Payne used a loaded firearm to threaten two employees and escaped with approximately $9,175. He was identified via surveillance footage that captured his face, his weapon, and distinctive red Nike slippers. Following a pursuit near Westroads Mall, police recovered the stolen funds and robbery attire. The sentence consists of 37 months for the robbery and 84 months for threatening employees with a firearm, followed by five years of supervised release.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-23: Omaha man sentenced to 10 years after using ChatGPT to plan bank robbery

Deron Lewis-Payne was sentenced to over 10 years in prison after ChatGPT logs and Google Maps history were used as evidence in his February 2026 Omaha bank robbery.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/omaha-man-sentenced-to-10-years-after-using-chatgpt-to-plan-bank-robbery

### 2026-08-21: Nebraska man sentenced for bank robbery planned using ChatGPT

A Nebraska man was sentenced to over ten years in prison after using ChatGPT to plan a bank robbery, leaving behind digital evidence and failing to mask his face during the crime.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nebraska-man-sentenced-for-bank-robbery-planned-using-chatgpt

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Cite as: Nebraska bank robbery involving ChatGPT planning. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nebraska-bank-robbery-involving-chatgpt-planning
