Kansas City Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

KANSAS CITY, MO—Matt J. Whitworth, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to bank robbery.

Joseph D. Morales, 57, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charge contained in an April 8, 2009, federal indictment.

Morales admitted that he used a handgun to steal $2,143 from Bank Midwest, 1111 Main, Kansas City, on Feb. 13, 2009. Morales, who was holding papers in his hand, got into line and approached a bank teller, who could see an apparent handgun wrapped in the papers. Morales stepped up to the teller window and handed over a note which read, “5,000, give me,” then took the note back and placed it in his pocket. The teller opened up her cash drawer, took out the U.S. currency, and stacked it on her counter. Morales took the money stacks, placed them in between the papers he was carrying, and left the bank.

Under federal statutes, Morales is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.