Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - An Olmsted County Judge has found a man guilty of a first-degree aggravated robbery charge for his involvement in an armed robbery at a Rochester hotel last December. The conviction was announced yesterday by Judge Joseph Chase following a three-day court trial last week.

25-year-old Byron Rush also entered an Alford plea yesterday to another first-degree aggravated robbery charge stemming from a robbery at local tanning business during which an employee was pistol-whipped. The plea means Rush does not admit to the crime but acknowledged there is enough evidence for a conviction.

Rush, who was described by police as homeless at the time of his arrest, was one of four men accused of being involved in the holdup at the Fairfield Inn and Suites on December 9th. Police say one of the robbers held a gun to the clerk’s head before the group fled with $300 in cash.

The robbery at Sun Tan City occurred on December 18th. Prosecutors recently charged a second man in that case. 21-year-old Dushawn Minor of Rochester is facing two counts of first-degree aggravated robbery and is due back in court for an evidentiary hearing later this month.

Rush is scheduled to be sentenced Friday morning.

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