Inver Grove Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Cannon Falls Bank
| U.S. Attorney’s Office April 13, 2010 |
MINNEAPOLIS—A 24-year-old Inver Grove Heights man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Minneapolis to the July 7, 2009, heist of the White Rock Bank in Cannon Falls. Appearing before United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen, Christopher Lee Anson pled guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. Anson was indicted on August 3, 2009.
In his plea agreement, Anson admitted taking $2,687 from the bank as well as jeopardizing the life of another during the commission of the crime. According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, the bank, located at 31377 County Road 24, was robbed at 12:08 p.m. on July 7. The robber, later identified as Anson, ordered a teller to place money in a white, plastic, grocery bag. When the teller failed to comply immediately, the robber brandished a knife and repeated his request. He also said, “Don’t tell anyone, or you will be hurt.” Ultimately, the robber acquired the money and left the premises.
Soon after the robbery, Anson was stopped for speeding. The police officer, who simultaneously was notified of the bank robbery, asked Anson for his address and informed him the speeding ticket would be delivered to him by mail. The officer then proceeded to the bank.
While reviewing bank surveillance camera footage, the officer recognized Anson from the traffic stop. As a result, authorities headed to the address Anson himself provided earlier. There, at his apartment, Anson was arrested. Police also recovered the stolen money, the knife brandished during the robbery, and clothing that matched what the robber had been wearing.
For his crime, Anson faces a potential maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Judge Ericksen will determine his sentence at a future date, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the Cannon Falls Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Inver Grove Heights Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erika R. Mozangue.