Iowa City man pleads guilty to three counts of second-degree robbery

Jay Harkless, 24, of Iowa City, plead guilty on three charges of second-degree robbery after a plea agreement with the State of Iowa declared that one count of robbery and one count of possession of marijuana would be dismissed in return.

Assistant Johnson County Attorney Meredith Rich-Chappel stated that the State would recommend that Harkless serves two consecutive terms with a third running concurrently, for a total of twenty years. Harkless would be required to serve at least 20 percent of each term on each count before being eligible for parole.

The State also recommended the suspension of all minimum fines and requiring restitution to be payed on all matters including the dismissed charge for possession of marijuana. Sentencing for Harkless will be held on a date that is yet to be determined.

During a search of Harkless' residence at 840 Maggard St. Apt. 10, officers found items they believed linked him to 10 bank and credit union robberies in Iowa City, North Liberty, Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Muscatine. Harkless confessed to all 11 of the robberies, police said.

Harkless also faces second-degree robbery charges in Black Hawk and Muscatine counties.