A Casper man who was accused of using a BB gun to rob two local businesses in late December entered guilty pleas to two felony charges Friday morning in district court.

Levar Ellis Thompson, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery. Each charge carries a penalty of five to 25 years in prison.

In each count, Thompson is charged as a habitual criminal, having been previously convicted of felony charges in three separate cases. Initially, Thompson was looking at up to life in prison with the habitual criminal label attached.

However, as part of a plea deal, Assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen amended the charges so that the habitual criminal portion carries a sentence of 10-50 years behind bars.

Per the plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend that Thompson receive a prison sentence of 20-30 years. The sentences on each count would run concurrently, and would also be concurrent with an 18- to 36-month sentence in a separate case.

Prosecutors say Thompson entered Wyoming Hot Wings on Dec. 29 and brandished a BB gun, which looked like a Beretta, and demanded money from an employee.

He did the same thing two days later at the Big D on East 12th Street.

Police investigated and used several tips submitted via Crimestoppers, which identified "Ellis" as the suspect.

Thompson's previous convictions include felony possession of cocaine, larceny by bailee and third-degree sexual assault.

As restitution may be an issue in the case, District Judge Catherine Wilking on Friday told Thompson that under the plea agreement, Thompson could disagree with the amount of restitution at sentencing, but such a disagreement would not give Thompson grounds to withdraw his pleas.

A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date.

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