Former Airway Heights prison guard found guilty of robbery, kidnapping

A former Airway Heights prison guard was found guilty Tuesday on all charges related to two armed robberies he committed while wearing part of his guard uniform.

Jeffrey J. Pool, 23, had previously worked at the Dollar Tree at 2424 First St. in Cheney before it was robbed in May 2015 and July 2016. Employees told police after both robberies that the robber seemed very familiar with the store and how it operated.

During the 2016 robbery Pool took several employees hostage in a back room and tied them up using zip ties, the same type of ties used by guards at the Airway Heights Corrections Center, according to court documents. Pool was also wearing dark pants and a utility belt that matched those worn by guards.

Pool was arrested at the Airway Heights prison when he reported to work shortly after the 2016 robbery. He was found guilty of multiple counts of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and kidnapping. His sentencing is set for April 20.