Jury Convicts Springfield Man of Using Firearms in Robberies
Man Faces 55 Years in Prison

SPRINGFIELD, MO—Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Springfield, Missouri man faces at least 55 years in prison after being convicted in federal court of using firearms to rob two Springfield banks and a drugstore in November 2008.

Mark Joseph Morris, 49, of Springfield, was found guilty on Thursday, March 21, 2013, of three counts of possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. Morris earlier pleaded guilty (on January 11, 2013) to committing the three robberies related to the firearm charges. Morris went to trial on the firearm charges claiming the gun he used in the robberies was a BB gun. Video surveillance at the banks and drug store confirmed Morris’ use of a firearm. However, the firearm used by Morris to commit the robberies was never recovered.

Morris admitted that he robbed Bank of America, 2633 W. College Road, on November 7, 2008. Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Morris handed a note to a bank teller and then revealed a handgun concealed in his waistband. He tapped on the handgun with one hand and pointed to the cash drawer with the other. The teller removed a cash drawer and placed it on the counter. Morris took $3,208 from the drawer and ran out the bank.

Morris also admitted that he robbed the Walgreens Drug Store at 1930 W. Grand St. on November 17, 2008.

Morris also admitted that he robbed Bank of America, 710 W. Sunshine, on November 21, 2008. Morris approached a bank teller and showed her a black pistol that was in his waistband. When the teller did not immediately respond, Morris removed the pistol from his waistband, pointed it at the teller, and demanded, “Give me all your money.” The teller removed $8,957 from her teller drawer and placed it on the counter. Morris tucked the pistol back into his waistband, grabbed the cash from the counter, and ran out the bank.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Missouri deliberated for less than two hours before returning the guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr, ending a trial that began Wednesday, March 20, 2013.

Under federal statutes, Morris is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 55 years in federal prison without parole for the firearms violations and up to 70 years in federal prison without parole for the robberies, plus a fine up to $1.5 million. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Abram McGull, II and Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Springfield, Missouri Police Department and the FBI.