A former Minneapolis police officer — accused in a series of armed robberies — admitted Friday in federal court to robbing an Apple Valley bank with his police-issued gun.

Timothy Edward Carson, 28, of Rosemount, entered a guilty plea to federal charges of armed bank robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Sentencing guidelines call for 2 1/2 to three years for the armed-robbery charge and a mandatory seven-year prison sentence for the gun-possession charge, said assistant U.S. attorney Nathan Petterson. The sentences would run consecutively.

However, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz said he would need to review the presentence investigation before determining whether to follow the guidelines.

“I don’t have any idea what sentence I will give you,” he told Carson.

The statutory maximum calls for more potential prison time than do the sentencing guidelines. For armed robbery, Carson could face 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. For firearm possession, he could face life in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.

Sentencing has not been scheduled.

Carson’s family filled two rows in the courtroom and sat in silence at the hearing.

In a released statement, they said, “The family of Timothy Carson supports his decision to take full responsibility for his actions. This plea agreement is the first step in coming to a full resolution for the federal charges. Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected by these actions.” The family declined to speak with the media.

Carson admitted in federal court that he robbed a Wells Fargo bank Jan. 6 in Apple Valley. In the bank, wearing a ski mask, he jumped on a counter, pointed his Minneapolis-police-issued Beretta semiautomatic gun at three tellers and demanded money.

“I think the reality of his situation has sunk in,” said Andrea George, a federal defender representing Carson. “He’s ready to get this behind him and move on.”

At sentencing, the defense plans to provide information about Carson’s military service, mental health and other circumstances that led to the robbery, George said.

“He’s an amazing human being that just went through some turmoil,” she said. “He feels a great deal of pain and sorrow for the pain he caused the victim(s).”

Carson, a husband and father, is an Iraq war veteran. He joined the Minneapolis Police Department in 2007 and later became a member of its elite SWAT team.

His alleged crime spree took place between Dec. 15 and his arrest Jan. 6 and involved armed stickups at banks, two convenience stores, two pharmacies, a coffee shop, a dry-cleaning business and a gas station. He also allegedly held up a man in his car and a woman at a bus stop.

Carson still faces five counts of first-degree aggravated robbery in Hennepin County court and seven counts of aggravated robbery in Dakota County.

Carson said he took $4,500 from the Apple Valley bank.

Before the robbery, an Apple Valley police officer stopped Carson because his car’s front license plate was missing. The officer let Carson go after seeing his police identification card. The same officer responded to a call about the bank robbery and saw Carson’s car about two miles from the bank.

Carson was late for his morning shift that day.

Investigators grew suspicious and questioned him that night about the crime.

He initially denied involvement but later said he was responsible for the robbery, according to an affidavit by FBI Special Agent Julie Hunter. He also told investigators where he stashed the clothes he wore during the holdup.

Some of the other robberies took place near the police precinct where Carson worked. Questioned about the robberies, Carson said he committed the crimes “in an attempt to get money to pay bills,” a Dakota County criminal complaint stated.

Maricella Miranda can be reached at 651-228-5421.

Andrea George, a federal defender representing Carson.