New bank-heist plea?

Sentencing for a serial bank robbery suspect was postponed in federal court Wednesday after the man said he wanted to take back his guilty plea.

Joshua Rich told the judge he wanted to back away from a plea deal he struck with federal prosecutors because he says an "air gun" was used in two of the three armed bank robberies for which he has been charged. Rich faces three counts of armed bank robbery and three more counts of using a firearm.

A federal prosecutor said Rich made a similar claim during his plea hearing several months ago but ended up admitting to — and pleading to — the facts in the indictment, which says a .22 -caliber gun was used in two of the three robberies. The difference may determine if Rich will be sentenced to serve a 32-year mandatory sentence.

U.S. District Judge Dee Benson said he would give Rich and his attorney time to fully brief his position and continued matters until Oct. 4.

Rich, his wife, Kylee, and a friend, Roland Thompson, were charged in federal court with bank robbery. Charges say Joshua Rich and Thompson robbed a Lindon bank three times at gunpoint. Police say the newlywed couple and friend then used the stolen loot to go on a Las Vegas honeymoon and to buy heroin. Police believe the two men pointed loaded guns at bank tellers and threatened their lives.

Last month, Kylee Rich was sentenced to serve one year in prison for her part in planning one of the robberies and driving a getaway vehicle.

Police had dubbed the couple Utah County's "Bonnie and Clyde."

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