KANSAS CITY, MO—Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a West St. Louis, Missouri man was sentenced in federal court for robbing First Federal Bank in North Kansas City, Missouri.

James A. Yokum, 44, of West St. Louis, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, to five years and three months in federal prison without parole.

On December 11, 2013, Yokum pleaded guilty to stealing $600 from First Federal Bank, 1200 Armour Rd. in North Kansas City.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Yokum walked into the bank at approximately 2:45 p.m. on June 11, 2013, and waited in line at a teller window. He leaned over the counter and whispered, “Give me all your hundreds.” The teller handed him six $100 bills and he ran out of the bank.

A relative of Yokum who was working nearby told agents that Yokum had been staying at his house temporarily and that Yokum had told him earlier in the day that he was going to rob a bank.

Yokum was arrested the same day by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper who intercepted his vehicle on eastbound Interstate 70 near Columbia, Missouri.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina Y. Tabor. It was investigated by the FBI.

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.