Eastern District of Oklahoma

FOR RELEASE:   December 17, 2007
SUBJECT:           POOLE, John Charles

"Charges arose from an investigation by the Ardmore Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. THOMPSON and co-defendant LARRY LAMAR THOMPSON were indicted in November, 2007," stated U.S. Attorney Sperling.

"The federal charging documents reflect that, on June 29, 2007, at approximately 9:45 p.m., THOMPSON and co-defendant WHITE crawled through the drive-thru window at the Grandy's Restaurant in Ardmore, Oklahoma," reported U.S. Attorney Sperling. "They were wearing bandannas to cover their faces and hooded jackets. The Ardmore Police responded and upon arrival saw THOMPSON and WHITE removing money from the cash registers. Officers also saw that the defendants had used duct tape to bind the hands and feet of the manager, a teenage employee and three minor children (ages 5, 7 and 10) who were at the restaurant at the time of the robbery. Duct tape was also used to cover the mouths of the victims."

"Officers also saw THOMPSON point a pistol at the manager. The defendants surrendered to police and were apprehended outside the restaurant. A Ruger .45 caliber pistol was found inside the restaurant and money was found on each defendant," stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling.

"At the plea hearing today, the prosecutor and defense lawyer predicted an estimated sentence of 84 months."

"The defendant pled guilty. He acknowledged that he thoroughly consulted with his attorney. He acknowledged and waived his constitutional rights to trial, cross-examine witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses and to jury trial."

"A written plea agreement, signed by the defendant and his attorney and AUSA Christopher J. Wilson, states the following, reported U.S. Attorney Sperling.

The defendant agrees that if this matter were to proceed to trial, the United States could prove the following facts beyond a reasonable doubt, and that these facts accurately represent the defendant's provable offense conduct and specific offense characteristics: On June 29, 2007 in Ardmore, Carter County, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, defendant and Larry L. White entered the Grandy's Restaurant through the drive-thru window. Grandy's Restaurant in Ardmore, Oklahoma is a business which is engaged in commercial activities in interstate commerce. Defendant and White were wearing bandanas to cover their faces and hooded jackets over their heads. A 16 year old employee was behind the counter. The night manager was also behind the counter. Another employee was in the kitchen. Three children, ages 5, 7, 10 were in the dining area. Defendant was carrying a Ruger, Model P97DC, .45 caliber pistol bearing serial number 669-40821. Defendant and White began ordering the employees down on the floor. White bound the employees' hands with duct tape and placed duct tape over their mouths. Defendant brought the children behind the counter and White bound them with duct tape as well. Defendant and White removed United States currency from cash registers. Defendant pointed the pistol at the manager's head and ordered the manager to open the safe, but the employee was unable to do so.

"The defendant admitted in court today that he used a Ruger .45 caliber pistol to rob the Grandy's Restaurant in Ardmore," U.S. Attorney Sperling continued. He admitted he held the pistol where it could be seen and brandished it."

"Defendant was found mentally competent at the time of the offense. The Court also found that he understood the nature, purpose and consequences of his plea. The Court found the factual basis sufficient and procedurally sound."

"The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted THOMPSON's guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. The defendant remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service, pending sentencing."

"Assistant United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson represented the government."

"Co-defendant WHITE pled guilty to charges on December 12, 2007 and remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.