Farmington Robbery Suspect Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges

A Farmington man responsible for robbing five businesses in Dakota and Rice Counties, and his Apple Valley accomplice both pleaded guilty to federal charges on Wednesday.

Eric Wade Forcier, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Julie Ann Campana, a 29-year-old Apple Valley woman, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting robbery, according to a news release issued by the United States District Attorney's Office.

Last October, Forcier began a two-week robbery spree, stealing $1,850 from Eddy's Bar & Grill in Inver Grove Heights, $60 from an Apple Valley Domino's Pizza, $154 from a gas station in Bloomington and $200 from a Jiffy Lube in Apple Valley. During the robbery in Inver Grove, police say he pointed a handgun at several employees and fired at the ceiling.

But it was an Oct. 29 robbery in Northfield that would lead to his arrest. That evening, Forcier entered the America's Best Value Inn and Suites in Northfield wearing a Halloween mask, pointed a gun at the manager and made off with $114 in cash.

Soon after the robbery, police arrested Forcier and Campana, who admitted she was serving as a lookout and getaway driver during several of the robberies—and had helped Forcier 'case' the hotel in Northfield.

Both Forcier and Campana were charged under the Hobbes Act, which allows federal prosecutors to prosecute criminals who commit armed robberies against businesses involved in interstate commerce.

Forcier, who has several prior convictions for drug possession, fleeing police and possession of stolen property, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison on each of the two robbery counts and life in prison for brandishing a firearm.

Campana faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

A sentencing hearing for both has not yet been scheduled.