Serial Bank Robber Found Guilty

DES MOINES, IA—On March 10, 2010, at the completion of a three-day jury trial, Jason Lee Bowers, age 33, was found guilty on four counts of armed bank robbery and four counts of using a firearm in those robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt.

The banks that Bowers robbed were:

• South Story Bank, Slater, Iowa, on October 9, 2009
• Farmers & Merchants State Bank, St. Charles, Iowa, on October 16, 2009
• Peoples Trust & Savings Bank, Rippey, Iowa, on October 17, 2009
• First Trust Savings Bank, Oxford, Iowa, on October 21, 2009

During the trial 35 witnesses testified, including bank employees, law enforcement officers, and other persons with knowledge of the circumstances of the robberies. There was also bank video from each of the banks. According to trial testimony, Bowers robbed all the banks at gun point, using a sawed-off shotgun on the first and using a revolver on the other three. On the last robbery at Oxford, Bowers discharged the firearm, apparently accidentally, on the way out the door of the bank.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., at the United States Courthouse in Des Moines, before Chief Judge Robert W. Pratt of the United States District Court.

According to trial testimony Bowers stole bank employees’ vehicles to make his escape from the crime scene. On the first three robberies, he left these stolen cars at local cemeteries, making a getaway from there in a different vehicle. On the Oxford robbery, Bowers left the stolen vehicle in a residential area of Grinnell, Iowa.

Bowers is subject to a mandatory 82-year sentence on the four firearms counts and additionally faces up to 25 years for each of the four bank robberies. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt commended the work of the multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that participated in this investigation and prosecution. “It was through the substantial cooperative efforts of these agencies,” he said, “that this individual was brought to justice. This case is a prime example of the successful, cooperative work of law enforcement agencies across the Southern District of Iowa. These good working relationships provide a significant benefit to the public, and are a testament to the professionalism and dedication to public service of each of the agencies involved.” In particular, Mr. Klinefeldt noted the participation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Story County Sheriff’s Office, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Grinnell Police Department, and the Des Moines Police Department.