Armed Bank Robber Sentenced to Nearly 12 Years in Federal Prison
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 20, 2012 |
DALLAS—John Ray Cheek was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater to 141 months in federal prison for committing the April 28, 2011, armed bank robbery at a Bank of America location in Irving, Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.
Cheek pleaded guilty on October 14, 2011, to one count of bank robbery with a dangerous weapon and one count of brandishing a weapon during or in relation to a crime of violence. According to documents filed in the case, on the afternoon of April 28, 2011, Cheek, wearing a bandana over his head and another bandana over his face, entered the Bank of America at 3660 N. Beltline Road in Irving, displayed a handgun and demanded money from a teller. According to the complaint, Cheek pointed the handgun at employees and customers while he demanded money. The teller complied and placed money and a dye pack into a bag. Cheek fled the bank and was arrested shortly after leaving the area. All of the money was recovered and returned to the bank.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Irving Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Kull was in charge of the prosecution.