Independence Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery

KANSAS CITY, MO—Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for aiding and abetting the robbery of an Independence bank.

Jeremy L. Bagnell, 36, of Independence, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Bagnell to pay $5,043 in restitution to the bank.

On April 20, 2011, Bagnell pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting co-defendant Michael D. Smythe, 50, of Independence. Smythe has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

Smythe admitted that he approached two employees at Metcalf Bank, 10801 E. 23rd St., Independence, on Oct. 5, 2010. While Bagnell kept watch at the door, Smythe placed a note on the counter that explained he was robbing the bank. As a result of the demand note, the bank employees provided money to Smythe. They recalled Smythe stating that if they put an ink pack in the money, he would kill them. Smythe placed the money in a canvas-type bag, then approached another bank employee and demanded additional money, stealing a total of $7,343. Smythe then fled from the bank.

Later the same day, law enforcement officers found Smythe and Bagnell inside an Independence residence. Smythe was hiding in the closet, sitting on top of $2,300. Officers executed a search warrant and found several items related to the bank robbery, including a demand note and clothes that matched the description of the clothing worn by the bank robbers.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin G. Davids. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Independence, Mo., Police Department.