Cedar Rapids woman pleads lesser charges in Cordal Lewis robbery and murder

CEDAR RAPIDS – A 25-year-old woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to lesser charges in connection with the robbery of 19-year-old Cordal Lewis that ended in his murder and in which she helped the gunman escape on Jan. 27, 2022.

Qiuinyana Nare Jones, originally charged with first-degree robbery, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, a felony, and entered a written guilty plea to accessory after the fact, a misdemeanor.

Jones entered an “Alford plea” to the conspiracy charge, meaning she maintained her innocence but admitted that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her.

Jones admitted during her plea that she was involved in a conspiracy between herself and other individuals she did not name, Pierra Baugh, Kazius Childress and Kavon Johnson, to rob Lewis and then help Childress escape after fatally shooting Lewis.

According to surveillance video played during Childress' murder trial, Jones was standing next to Childress, who was carrying a gun and arguing with Lewis, when Childress shot him.

Video showed Jones driving Childress away from the crime scene, then returning so Childress could remove evidence from Lewis' body. She then drove Childress away and concealed his whereabouts.

Sixth District Judge Christopher Bruns said during the hearing that there was also evidence of text messages showing Jones had discussed the robbery with others.

Bruns noted that Jones could ask for probation instead of prison at sentencing. There is no agreement between the defense and prosecution on whether the sentences should be served consecutively or concurrently.

As part of the agreement, the first-degree robbery charge will be dropped at sentencing.

Linn County District Attorney Nick Maybanks told the Gazette after the confession that Jones was “the final domino in this conspiracy that began on January 27, 2022, and ended with four guilty pleas and another tragic and senseless murder.”

“Because Mr. Childress killed Cordal Lewis, everyone involved in planning the robbery is now either in prison or facing prison time,” Maybanks said. “Pierra Baugh, who helped steal money from Cordal Lewis, faces 27 years and Ms. Jones now faces 12 years plus possible additional time for charges she filed while on bail for driving him away from the crime scene.”

Maybanks said Kavon Johnson, who was involved in the conspiracy to rob Lewis, was “tragically shot” by Childress the next day. Childress pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Johnson and faces an additional 50 years in prison.

Childress had previously pleaded guilty to Lewis's alleged murder and was sentenced to up to 50 years in prison.

“There was no need for a trial, there is no risk of acquittal by a jury and there will be no reasonable appeals,” Maybanks said. “Now there will be justice and finality for the victims and their families and everyone involved will be held accountable. The case is closed.”

Bruns said sentencing would be scheduled sometime in October.

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