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Cedar Rapids Woman Sentenced on Federal Bank Robbery and Gun Charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office July 08, 2010
  • Southern District of Iowa (515) 473-9300

DAVENPORT, IA—On July 2, 2010, Verkisha Latrice Burns, 21, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was sentenced to 127 months’ imprisonment on charges of bank robbery and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Additionally, United States District Judge John A. Jarvey ordered that Burns serve a term of three years’ supervised release following imprisonment, pay an assessment of $200 to the Crime Victims Fund, and pay $400.00 in restitution for counseling for affected bank employees.

On October 5, 2009, Katalyn Curtis entered the West Chester Savings Bank in Washington, Iowa, in order to case the bank for Burns. Curtis asked about opening an account, took a brochure, and left. Minutes later, Burns, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, entered the bank.

Initially, Burns presented a teller with a note, as written, reading, “This is a robery. Put the money in the bag. I you scream I will shoot. Put your hands where I can see them.” A bank officer asked Burns to remove her hood, whereupon Burns pulled a handgun and pointed it at bank employees, who turned over $3,760. Burns stuffed the money in a blue bag, exited the bank, and fled in a vehicle.

Ten minutes later, a Washington County deputy stopped the vehicle heading north on Highway 1 from Washington. Curtis was driving. Raylon Jones was in the passenger seat. Burns was lying down in the rear passenger area of the vehicle. In the car, police found a handgun, a blue bag similar to the one used in the robbery, $3,760 in cash, and clothing items worn by the robber.

Curtis and Jones previously pleaded guilty and currently await sentencing.

This investigation was conducted by the Washington Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

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