TEXAS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MULTIPLE BANK ROBBERIES

John Christopher Badgett, 37, of Irving, Texas, entered a guilty plea in federal court today to six counts of bank robbery. Badgett admitted to robbing a Wells Fargo Bank in Meridian, Idaho, on October 22, 2007, a Wells Fargo Bank in Belen, New Mexico, on September 18, 2007, the Pikes Peak National Bank in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on September 20, 2008, the Chase Bank in Kingman, Arizona, on October 2, 2007, the American Security Bank in Victorville, California, on October 15, 2007, and the Rock Springs National Bank in Rock Springs, Wyoming, on October 30, 2007. At the time of each robbery, Badgett possessed a Daisy Powerline air pistol, which he brandished to help carry out the robberies. He has agreed to pay restitution to the six banks, as well as banks in Twin Falls, Idaho, Logan, Utah, and Flagstaff, Arizona, and three convenience stores/gas stations.

Sentencing is set for June 1, 2009, before U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge in Boise.

Badgett faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison on each count, a fine of $250,000, and supervised release of five years following the term of incarceration.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of multiple local investigative agencies, including the Meridian Police Department, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and the Austin (Texas) Police Department, where Badgett was apprehended.