Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced
today that on June 14, 2012, Franchie Farmer, 39, of Tamms, IL, formerly of Thebes, IL, was
convicted by a jury in Benton, Illinois, of armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of
violence. The offense occurred on November 6, 2008, at the Capaha Bank in Tamms, Illinois.

Evidence at trial established that Farmer was the getaway driver for two other individuals
who robbed the Capaha Bank. Those individuals, Holli Wrice and Richard Anderson, entered the
bank, drew firearms and ordered all the customers to the floor. They then took over $14,000 from
two tellers who were threatened at gunpoint. Under federal law, because Farmer aided Wrice and
Anderson, she can be found guilty of the same crimes for which they were convicted. Wrice
received a 35 year sentence for her role in the offense and Anderson received a 10 year sentence.

Farmer’s bank robbery offense carries a possible penalty of up to life in prison, a fine of up
to $250,000 and 5 years’ supervised release. The using a firearm charge carries a mandatory term
in prison of seven years, which must run consecutively to any sentence imposed for the bank
robbery. The district court ordered that Farmer be held without bond pending her September 12,
2012, sentencing hearing.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Illinois State
Police.

The trial was conducted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas E. Leggans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return to Top