INDEPENDENCE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO BANK ROBBERY

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Independence, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to robbing US Bank in Independence.

Clyde Douglas Nelson, 56, of Independence, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr., this morning to the charge contained in an April 4, 2007, federal indictment.

Nelson admitted that he stole $96,574 from US Bank, 110 E. US 24 Highway in Independence, on March 9, 2007.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Nelson entered US Bank at about 10:30 a.m. on March 9, 2007, carrying what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun and a silver box with a flashing light that he claimed was an explosive device. Nelson ordered bank employees to sit together in the lobby, while another employee turned off the lights and posted signs on the doors stating that the bank was closed. Nelson then demanded access to the vault, and after bank employees placed cash from the safe into a pillowcase, he left the bank through the back door.

Nelson was arrested by police officers who were waiting outside the bank.

Under federal statutes, Nelson could be subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

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

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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

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