November 19, 2014

Jury Convicts Kansas City Man of Bank Robbery, Attempted Casino Robbery

KANSAS CITY, MO—Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was convicted by a federal trial jury today of robbing a bank and attempting to rob a casino.

James T. Smith, 62, of Kansas City, was found guilty of both counts contained in an April 29, 2014 federal indictment.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Smith used a demand note to steal $1,053 from Commerce Bank, 118 W. 47th Street, Kansas City, Mo., on May 18, 2013. Just after midnight the next morning, Smith threatened a cashier in an unsuccessful attempt to rob the Isle of Capri Casino, 1800 E. Front St., Kansas City, Mo. In both instances, Smith used a note to demand month and verbally threatened to blow up the bank and casino with nitroglycerin.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about one and a half hours before returning the verdicts to U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple, ending a trial that began Monday, Nov. 17, 2014.

Under federal statutes, Smith is subject to a sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000. 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. Attorneys Christina Y. Tabor and Justin Davids. It was investigated by the FBI, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Gaming Division.