LA 23-year-old man in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, has been sentenced to 10 years and one month in federal prison for robbing a bank after investigators discovered that he had used ChatGPT while preparing for the crime.

The man, identified as Deron Lewis-Payne, pleaded guilty to bank robbery and to using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during the offence.

Lewis-Payne was sentenced on August 13 after admitting his role in the robbery of an i3Bank branch in Omaha on February 10.

According to investigators, Lewis-Payne entered the bank, pointed a firearm at tellers and threatened them before fleeing with approximately $9,175.

The case attracted particular attention after investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that Lewis-Payne had turned to artificial intelligence while preparing for the robbery.

Investigators found activity on his phone linked to ChatGPT, alongside searches relating to police response times and firearm-related questions.

However, his use of AI did little to prevent investigators from identifying him.

Surveillance cameras at the bank captured images of the suspect, including his face, clothing and vehicle. Investigators subsequently obtained additional footage showing him shopping for new clothes at Westroads Mall.

His vehicle also became an important part of the investigation.

When police later approached Lewis-Payne, he reportedly fled, prompting officers to pursue him. Police subsequently recovered additional money and other evidence believed to be connected to the bank robbery.

A search of his phone provided investigators with further evidence.

Beyond the ChatGPT activity, detectives discovered that his Google Maps history showed the bank among locations he had recently searched.

The combination of surveillance footage, vehicle information, digital records, location history and physical evidence ultimately helped investigators link Lewis-Payne to the robbery.

The case has since drawn attention to the increasingly complicated relationship between artificial intelligence and criminal investigations, particularly as investigators continue to use digital evidence to reconstruct suspects’ movements and activities.

Despite reportedly using ChatGPT during his preparation, Lewis-Payne allegedly left behind a trail of conventional and digital evidence that enabled investigators to build a case against him.

Following his guilty plea, a federal court sentenced him to 10 years and one month in prison.

Because the sentence was imposed in federal court, Lewis-Payne will not be eligible for federal parole.

After completing his prison sentence, he will also serve five years of supervised release.