After Deshalon Jelks walked into a Credit Union 1 branch in Anchorage, Alaska, he handed a teller a note that read: "I have a weapon. And that weapon I am armed with [is] the power & authority of Jesus Christ. Empty the drawer into an envelope do not set off the alarm. Neeclti sent me. Thank you."
The teller emptied the till of money, slipped the cash in an envelope and handed over $1,626 to Jelks. After leaving the branch, he called his mother and pastor, according to an FBI criminal complaint.
But he didn't get far, because the cash envelope included a bait bill and tracker. He was arrested by Anchorage police at a Costco Wholesale building across the street from the credit union branch.
Last week, Jelks pleaded not guilty to the Feb. 26 credit union robbery charge in U.S. District Court in Anchorage after a grand jury returned an indictment. He remains in custody. Court hearings to schedule a possible trial are expected to be held in April, according to federal court filings.
During an interview with federal investigators, Jelks admitted he approached a teller and asked if he could have money but denied robbing the credit union.
Although Jelks denied stating he had a weapon, he acknowledged telling the member service representative he was "armed with the authority of Jesus Christ." He also asked the teller if he needed to provide identification, said he desperately needed money and left the branch.
Federal investigators did not explain the meaning of "Neeclti sent me" in the note.
While he was being transported by authorities, he "inquired if he would receive any of the money [he stole] back." Authorities told him the money will be held as evidence in his case.
Peter Strozniak can be reached at peter.strozniak@arc-network.com.
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