FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — The second suspect charged with a string of robberies and the deadly shootout on Interstate 70 with police over the summer has entered a plea agreement.
Faisal Darod, 23, pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to nine counts, including aiding and abetting robberies and aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during the robberies. He has a recommended sentence of 20 to 30 years in prison.
Nearly two weeks ago, 20-year-old Aden Jama pleaded guilty to two counts of aiding and abetting robberies and two counts of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during the robberies.
Before the Fifth Third Bank robbery, Darod and Jama allegedly stole a Porsche from a Whitehall dealership.
RELATED: Authorities: Suspects stole Corvette, robbed Upper Arlington bank days before I-70 pursuit, shootout
After the bank robbery, Darod, Jama and 19-year-old Abdisamad Ismali led police on a chase that eventually ended just west of downtown Columbus on I-70. Ismali was fatally shot by police. Darod and Jama were able to get away but were later arrested.
Separate from the alleged crime spree throughout central Ohio on July 6, the indictment also charges Darod and Jama with aiding and abetting in the robbery of a Fifth Third Bank in Upper Arlington the day before.
According to his plea agreement, Darod was also charged in connection to an armed west Columbus GameStop robbery on June 21.
Darod and another man had planned to rob a bank that day, but mistakenly thought that the bank would be open until 6 p.m. Upon realizing it was closed, they shifted focus to GameStop instead, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Darod reportedly helped the other man obtain the firearm, extended magazine and ammunition, and served as a lookout during the robbery.
On July 3, Darod drove the other man to Auto Gallery on Westerville Road where the man robbed the car dealership owner at gunpoint and stole a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. According to a release, Darod had others record videos of him driving the Corvette around the parking lot of the Baymont Inn and Suites at Morse Road where he had rented a room.