Iowa City man gets 20-year sentence for robberies

An Iowa City man had tears in his eyes Tuesday after he received a 20-year prison sentence for two counts of second-degree robbery.

On July 14, Jay Harkless, 25, pleaded guilty to three charges of second-degree robbery, all Class C forcible felonies, after a plea agreement. One count of robbery and one count of possession of marijuana were dismissed as part of the agreement.

Authorities said Harkless confessed to 11 robberies, many bank-related, in Iowa City, North Liberty, Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Muscatine over a seven-month period from May 2009 to January 2010. Between $60,000 and $70,000 was taken in total, Assistant Johnson County Attorney Meredith Rich-Chappell said.

Three victims of the MidWestOne Bank in North Liberty robbery from October 9, 2009 were present at the sentencing today to make statements.

The teller who Harkless approached that day, Erin Jehle, said she doesn't expect him to remember her face, but she will never forget his.

"Since he has committed his crime, I have been unable to sleep at night," said Kevin Crawll, who was in charge at the time of the incident.

Melisa Henley, another bank employee, asked the court to punish him rightfully.

"You were a coward and you were selfish," she said to Harkless, looking in his eyes.

Rich-Chappell stated that the state would recommend that Harkless serve 20 years total for two consecutive sentences and one concurrent sentence, because the state believes it accurately reflects the seriousness of his deliberate robbery acts, she said.

Harkless' attorney Quint Meyerdirk asked the court to consider concurrent sentences, since he still has to answer to courts in Black Hawk and Muscatine counties.

"He has been nothing but honest with me, too honest with me," he said to 6th Judicial District Court Judge Paul Miller.

Harkless firstly turned to apologize to the victims sitting behind him. He said he does feel like he deserves to be punished for his crimes.

"I didn't think about how it would affect you guys. I'm sorry, I really am," he said, adding, "All I ask for is some mercy, I guess."

Miller, noting that all were crimes of violence that took place over an extended period of time, ordered two ten-year sentences for second-degree robbery to run consecutively. He imposed the minimum sentence required, with parole or work release eligibility after a mandatory 14 years served.

Harkless was also ordered to pay more than $7,600 in victim restitution to MidWestOne and West banks.