Springfield Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery

SPRINGFIELD, MO—Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a homeless Springfield, Missouri, man was sentenced in federal court today for the armed robbery of Great Southern Bank.

Dale C. Barkfelt, 35, of Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to nine years and seven months in federal prison without parole.

On May 8, 2013, Barkfelt pleaded guilty to using a handgun to rob Great Southern Bank, 1615 W. Sunshine St. in Springfield.

According to court documents, Barkfelt entered the bank at approximately 2 p.m. on April 9, 2012, and placed a white plastic grocery bag on a teller counter. Barkfelt pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the teller and told her to “put it in there.” The teller handed Barkfelt $966, and he left the bank.

Approximately three hours after the robbery, a Springfield police officer recognized Barkfelt in a bank surveillance photo. The officer was familiar with Barkfelt from previous police-related contacts and had been in contact with Barkfelt within the previous week. Barkfelt, who is homeless, was staying at an outdoor camp site near Kansas Expressway and West Sunshine Street, which is in the vicinity of the bank. Barkfelt was arrested the following day.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull, II and Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the FBI and the Springfield, Missouri, Police Department.

This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available online at http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/index.html.