NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

BRADLEY J. SCHLOZMAN
Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room
5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106
www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

FEBRUARY 26, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPRINGFIELD MAN CHARGED WITH
TWO ARMED BANK ROBBERIES

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bradley J. Schlozman, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Springfield, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with committing two armed robberies in Springfield.

Jody Lee Keller, 48, of Springfield, was charged in a two-count criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield. Keller was arrested on Feb. 23, 2007, by law enforcement officers who were conducting surveillance at his residence, and remains in federal custody.

Count One of the complaint alleges that Keller used an object that appeared to be a handgun and an explosive device to steal $10,729 from Guaranty Bank, 1905 W. Kearney St., in Springfield, on Sept. 1, 2006. Count Two of the complaint alleges that Keller used an object that appeared to be a handgun to steal $10,440 from Liberty Bank, 2809 E. Sunshine St., in Springfield, on Dec. 14, 2006.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Keller entered Guaranty Bank at about 9:55 a.m. on Sept. 1, 2006, wearing a black stocking cap, black sunglasses, dark-colored bandana, and a long-sleeve shirt with both sleeves partly rolled up to expose a tattoo on his right forearm. Keller allegedly displayed a hand-held device, approximately six to eight inches long, with black electrical tape wrapped around it and a watch affixed to it resembling a timer on a bomb. Keller demanded that tellers put money inside a bag, the affidavit says, demanding $100 bills and urging the tellers to hurry, then fled the bank in a Chevrolet pick-up truck.

According to the affidavit, Keller entered Liberty Bank the morning of Dec. 14, 2006. Keller allegedly approached a teller and pointed what appeared to be a large black semi-automatic pistol at her. During the robbery, the affidavit says, Keller also pointed the gun at two other employees and a customer who were in the lobby as well. Keller allegedly stuffed the bag of money down the front of his pants and fled the bank on foot.

Schlozman cautioned that the charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas C. Bunch. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html