MEDFORD, Ore. -- A man described as a "career criminal" pleaded guilty to robbing an Oregon casino and spending some of the proceeds on a Mercedes-Benz in Reno, Nev.

Cody Joe Jonas, currently in federal custody in Medford, pleaded guilty to robbing the Kla-Mo-Ya Casino in Chiloquin, Ore., on Aug. 9, 2007. Jonas robbed the casino of $80,050 by threatening employees with immediate fear of injury.

Jonas acknowledged prior convictions for other crimes of violence including assault, residential burglary and robbery in the State of Washington, thereby qualifying him as a career offender under federal sentencing guidelines, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The sentencing hearing has been set for Sept. 29 at 10 a.m.

After robbing the Kla-Mo-Ya Casino, Jonas fled the state. He purchased a Mercedes-Benz with part of the casino proceeds in Reno, Nev., and traveled to San Diego, Calif., where he was apprehended by San Diego Police following a high speed car chase.

Over $48,000 of casino money was ultimately recovered from the Mercedes-Benz.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Byron Chatfield prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Klamath County Sheriff, and the Oregon Department of State Police Forensic Laboratory.