DENVER | A former music teacher pleaded guilty Thursday to armed bank robbery for a June hold up at a Wells Fargo in Aurora.
Christian Paetsch, 46, was arrested a short time after the robbery when police stopped dozens of cars at an Aurora intersection, holding some innocent bystanders at gunpoint for an hour while they searched for the robber.
Paetsch’s lawyer tried to have the case dismissed because of the traffic stop, arguing that the police stop was unconstitutional.
But a judge sided with police last year and shortly after that ruling Paetsch reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors.
Under the agreement, Paetsch pleaded guilty to bank robbery and using a gun during a crime of violence. At sentencing in April, he faces at least seven years in prison. Even after the guilty plea, Paetsch will be allowed to appeal the ruling on the traffic stop.