OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
BRADLEY J. SCHLOZMAN

Contact Jim Cross
(316) 269-6481
400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510
Kansas City, MO 64106
www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow

SEPTEMBER 7, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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INDEPENDENCE MAN SENTENCED FOR BANK ROBBERY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Bradley J. Schlozman, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for robbing the Bank of America in Raytown, Mo.

John L. Heavner, 50, of Independence, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith this morning to 12 years and seven months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Heavner to pay $797 in restitution to Bank of America.

On April 19, 2006, Heavner pleaded guilty to bank robbery. Heavner admitted that he stole $797 from the Bank of America at 10017 E. 63rd St. in Raytown on Oct. 17, 2005.

Heavner entered the bank and approached an employee seated at her desk, telling her that he wanted to open an account. When asked if he could produce identification, Heavner responded, "No, but I can produce a gun. I want your money." The employee told Heavner that she was not a teller and didn't have any money, then she accompanied him to a teller window and relayed his demand for money. The teller handed Heavner $797 and Heavner left the bank.

A Raytown police officer later recognized Heavner from the bank surveillance photos taken during the robbery.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Michael Warner. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raytown, Mo., Police Department.