Three Face Federal Prison for Series of Bank Robberies in Texas and Missouri

United States Attorney Robert Pitman announced that in Waco, three Macon, Missouri residents face federal prison terms after pleading guilty this afternoon to federal charges associated with a series of bank robberies in Texas and Missouri.

Jeffrey Brent Heckman, age 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, three counts of bank robbery, and one count of carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. By pleading guilty, Heckman admitted to stealing a total of approximately $33,000 during the following bank robberies: the May 19, 2011 robbery of the Bank Northwest in Hamilton, Missouri; the June 1, 2011, robbery of a Preferred Bank in Brookfield, Missouri; June 21, 2011, robbery of the Citizen’s Bank of Blythesdale in Harrison County, Missouri, while carrying a shotgun; the July 8, 2011, robbery of the Merchant’s & Farmer’s Bank, 4000 Rangeline Street, in Columbia, Missouri; and, the July 11, 2011, robbery with a dangerous weapon of the Texell Credit Union, 3314 South 31st Street, in Temple, Texas. As a result, Heckman faces a maximum of 25 years’ imprisonment for each bank robbery with a dangerous weapon charge; a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the other bank robbery charges; and a mandatory five years’ imprisonment for the firearm charge to run consecutive to the other sentences imposed.

Jacob Thomas Norris, age 24, and Alexia Quentasha Baker, age 23, each pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting bank robbery with a dangerous weapon and one count of bank robbery. By pleading guilty, Norris and Baker admitted that they served as the getaway driver and lookout, respectively, while Heckman robbed the Merchant’s & Farmer’s Bank. They also admitted to aiding and abetting Heckman while he robbed with a dangerous weapon the Texell Credit Union. As a result, Norris and Baker each face a maximum of 25 years’ imprisonment for the bank robbery with a dangerous weapon charge and a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment for the bank robbery charge.

According to court records, from May 18, 2011 until September 5, 2011, the trio conspired to commit several bank robberies in Missouri and Texas before fleeing to Mexico to avoid capture. Court documents further reveal that Norris and Baker, knowing that a bank robbery had been committed, rented hotel rooms in Georgetown, San Antonio, and Laredo and purchased $3,500 in money cards, clothing, and a backpack to facilitate their escape to Mexico. On September 5, 2011, the defendants were arrested by authorities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The following day, Mexican immigration officials deported them to the United States.

All three defendants remain in federal custody pending sentencing in Waco scheduled for May 2, 2012 before United States District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr.

This case was investigated by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the San Antonio, Kansas City, and St. Louis Divisions along with the Temple (Texas) Police Department and local authorities in Missouri. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Gloff is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.