Conrad, Iowa Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery in Colman, South Dakota

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Conrad, Iowa man charged with bank robbery was sentenced on August 1, 2011, by Chief U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Sean P. Cavanaugh, age 30, was sentenced to 71 months in custody on the bank robbery and 18 months in custody on a revocation from a previous charge.

Cavanaugh was indicted for bank robbery by a federal grand jury on October 5, 2010. On September 23, 2010, Sean Cavanaugh entered the Home Federal Bank in Colman, South Dakota, intent on committing a robbery. Cavanaugh produced a demand note informing the teller that it was a robbery and received over $3,000 in cash. Included in the cash that he received was bank “bait money.” Cavanaugh fled the scene and attempted to elude police officers with his vehicle. Spike strips were eventually placed across the road which disabled the car that Cavanaugh was driving. Cavanaugh was arrested, and the money, including the “bait money,” was found in his vehicle. He pled guilty to the charge on May 2, 2011.

The investigation was conducted by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sioux Falls Police Department, and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Wright.

Cavanaugh was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshal.