May 17, 2010

OVERLAND PARK BANK ROBBER’S PROBLEMS STARTED WITH GAMBLING LOSSES

KANSAS CITY, KAN. - Joseph G. Markham, 39, Olathe, Kan., has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

Markham pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. In his plea, he admitted that on Sept. 1, 2009, he robbed the First National Bank in Overland Park, Kan. Markham initially was charged in a criminal complaint filed Sept. 2, 2009. The complaint alleged Markham was driving a white Ford Escort when he pulled up to the bank’s commercial teller window and gave the teller a note saying, “There is a bomb placed in your bank and a nearby school. No cops. I am desperate and will detonate both. Send cash out window. No tricks or you will be sorry.”

Overland Park Police and Kansas Highway Patrol officers who responded to the bank’s alarm stopped Markham at 115th and Travis in Overland Park. Markham told investigators he had lost money gambling the day before and decided to rob the bank so he could pay his bills.

Welch commended the Overland Park Police, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney David Smith for their work on the case.