Prosecutor drops charges against man who alleged citied 'authority of Jesus' in bank robbery

By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Friday, March 20, 2026

An Alaska man who was accused of weaponizing the name of Jesus to rob a bank in Anchorage had those charges dismissed by a local prosecutor earlier this month, but the case against him could still be reopened at a later date.

The man, 35-year-old Deshalon Jelks, was facing charges of first-degree robbery with the use of a weapon, second-degree robbery with use of force to compel delivery, second-degree theft, and two counts of violating conditions of release following the Feb. 26 crime.

An affidavit from the Alaska District Court cited by 2KTUU said Jelks went to a teller at Credit Union 1 on Debarr Road in Anchorage at about 5:58 p.m. local time and gave her a note stating that he was armed “with the power and authority of Jesus.”

“I have a weapon. And that weapon I am armed with [is] the power & authority of Jesus Christ. Empty the drawer into an envelope do not set off the alarm. — Neeclti sent me. — Thank you,” Jelks’ note said.

The threat convinced the teller to empty her till in an envelope and hand it to Jelks with a tracker inside.

Anchorage police later tracked Jelks to Costco across the street from the credit union where they confronted him. During the confrontation, the affidavit says a “large amount” of money and the tracking device spilled out on the floor. Investigators reported recovering $1,701 from Jelks.

The 35-year-old who was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the confrontation with police reportedly confessed to entering the credit union and asking for the money. He denied having a weapon or receiving any money, even though he “desperately” needed it.

Investigators said they searched his phone and found evidence through several calls made at the time of the robbery that he was attempting to acquire methamphetamines.

Court records show that all five charges stemming from the bank robbery were dismissed by the prosecution on March 3, with a CrR 43(a)(1) notation.

According to RecordGone, CrR 43(a)(1) refers to Alaska's Criminal Rule of Procedure, which allowed the prosecutor to formally drop the criminal charges against Jelks before trial. The decision might have been due to insufficient evidence or a plea deal, but it still leaves the possibility open to refile the charges later.

He remains in custody at the Anchorage Correctional Complex. Court records show that he was also indicted on Feb. 11 for violating a condition of his release and indecent exposure.

In 2020, Jelks was also charged with theft, resisting arrest, robbery and criminal mischief for an incident at an Anchorage gas station.