SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Greene County, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing Empire Bank in Springfield, Mo.

Curtis L. Ralls, 44, of Greene County, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. Ralls pleaded guilty to bank robbery on May 10, 2010.

Ralls entered Empire Bank, 3555 N. Glenstone Ave., in Springfield, at approximately 3:24 p.m. on March 15, 2010. Ralls gave a note to a bank teller that said, “I have a gun! Give me the money.” The teller gave Ralls $1,720 from her teller drawer and Ralls left the bank.

A description of the vehicle was broadcast and a Greene County Sheriff’s deputy identified a vehicle matching the description. A pursuit ensued, and when the vehicle was stopped, Ralls was arrested. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement officers found the money that had been stolen from Empire Bank.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Bunch. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

 

 

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