Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man who robbed a truck driver of a can of soda in February pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of robbery, federal prosecutors announced today.

Brian Lamont Roberts, 54, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, officials said. He made the guilty plea Thursday before U.S. District Judge Norman Mordue, who set sentencing for May 13.

Roberts told the court he was drunk and high on crack cocaine Feb. 2 when he threatened a soda delivery truck driver with a knife at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center.

Roberts is a veteran and was seeking medical treatment at the VA Medical Center, Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig A. Benedict said. Roberts asked the driver for a Pepsi, Benedict said. The driver refused to give him one until Roberts drew the knife and threatened him, Benedict said.

"He took a sip of it and basically threw it back at the driver," Benedict said.

The robbery was a federal crime because it took place on federal property, Benedict said.

Roberts told the court that he is an alcoholic and addicted to crack and has been in prison and in drug and alcohol treatment since the robbery, prosecutors said.

"It was disclosed in court that he's made excellent progress in getting his life in order," Benedict said.