Cedar Rapids man to serve 10 years for theft, extortion

A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday in Linn County District Court for his part in robbing a man in December 2009.

Michael Hicks, of Cedar Rapids, pleaded guilty to first-degree theft and extortion in November.  He was sentenced to 10 years on the theft charge and five on extortion but the judge ran the terms concurrently for a total of 10 years.

The victim, Riley O'Dean, 19, said he was looking to buy marijuana but Hicks, along with two others, pulled him into a car Dec. 19, 2009, took his cash and pistol whipped him, according to a police report. O'Dean was then left on Highway 100. He suffered a gash above his eye from the assault.

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said Hicks and the others planned to rob O'Dean by telling him they would sell him drugs.

“This was a senseless and violent crime,” Maybanks said. “Mr. O'Dean had a laceration to his head and had a bloody nose.”

Les Stokke, Hicks' attorney, said Hicks admitted to taking advantage of O'Dean and punching him but Hicks denied using a weapon or firearm that was mentioned in the pre-sentencing report. Stokke asked the court for probation.

Hicks apologized to the victim and said he wanted to take responsibility for his crime and pay the victim restitution.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Marsha Bergan said after looking at the report she wouldn't consider the weapon or firearm as part of the crime. However, robbery of a person is a violent offense and she was sentencing Hicks to prison time because of his prior record and his non-compliance with probation.

Bergan also ordered Hicks to pay $1,750 in fines and $200 restitution to the victim.

Bryar Byrne, 19, of Cedar Rapids, was sentenced to 20 years for his part in this crime, and Elijah Newman, 20, also pleaded guilty to charges and will be sentenced Feb. 22.