St. Louis, MO - Otis McAllister, Ray Anthony Bassett, Willie James Bassett, Jr. and Anthony McAllister were indicted involving a conspiracy to rob the Pulaski Bank in Florissant, Missouri, on November 4, 2011.

According to the indictment, on November 3, the FBI received information that Ray Anthony Bassett, Willie James Basset and Anthony McAllister, along with Otis McAllister, were planning the robbery of a branch of the Pulaski Bank early in the morning on Friday, November 4, 2011. The Bassetts and Anthony McAllister are associates of Otis McAllister, who is currently serving 37 years in federal prison for the armed robberies of St. Louis-area banks and credit unions over a five-year period that netted more than $1.4 million and involved taking bank employees as hostages at gun point. The indictment states that as part of the bank robbery conspiracy, the Bassetts drove to St. Louis County from Memphis, Tennessee, to stay at Anthony McAllister’s house on November 1, 2011, a few days before the planned bank robbery.

RAY ANTHONY BASSETT, Memphis, Tennessee, was indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count each of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, attempted bank robbery, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. WILLIE JAMES BASSETT, JR., Memphis, Tennessee, was indicted on one felony count each of conspiracy to commit bank robbery and attempted bank robbery. ANTHONY McALLISTER, St. Louis County; and OTIS McALLISTER, were each indicted on one felony count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence.

If the defendants are convicted, these charges carry penalties ranging from five years to life in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a Judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Investigations Supervisor’s Office, Federal Correctional Institution – Greenville, Illinois. Assistant United States Attorney Cristian Stevens is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.