Federal Jury Convicts Missouri Man for Robbing Four Banks

MINNEAPOLIS—Yesterday in federal court, a jury found a 40-year-old Missouri man guilty of robbing four Minnesota banks between September 18, 2007, and April 16, 2008. Following a three-day trial, Joseph Paul Young, of Rogersville, Missouri, was convicted of four counts of bank robbery. Young was indicted on July 14, 2009.

The evidence presented at trial proved that on September 18, 2007, Young stole approximately $7,410 from the Washington County Bank at 2520 White Bear Avenue in Maplewood. Next, on September 25, 2007, he stole approximately $1,196 from the TCF Bank at 5205 Central Avenue Northeast in Fridley. Then, on January 26, 2008, he stole approximately $1,400 from the U.S. Bank at 9633 Lyndale Avenue South in Bloomington. And, finally, on April 16, 2008, he stole approximately $4,350 from the Minnwest Bank, which is located at 116 East Main Street. in Luverne, Minnesota. Young was commonly referred to as the “plaid” or “flannel” shirt robber during the course of these robberies.

For his crimes, Young faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. United States District Court Judge Ann D. Montgomery will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled. This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, and the police departments of Bloomington, Fridley, and Maplewood. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Allen A. Slaughter and Andrew S. Dunne.