Indictment: Robber Told Bank Teller To be Quiet and Hand Over the Money

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was indicted Wednesday on charges of robbing a bank in Kansas City, Kan., U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Ralph McGinnis, 62, Kansas City, Kan., was charged with one count of bank robbery. The indictment alleges that on Sept. 6, 2018, McGinnis robbed the Bank of Labor at 756 Minnesota Avenue. According to documents filed in the case, McGinnis told a teller, “Don’t say anything,” as he handed her a note. The note said: “This is a robbery. Give me 100’s and 50’s.” After the robbery, a security guard followed the robber to a nearby apartment building where McGinnis was living.

If convicted, McGinnis faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Krug is prosecuting.OTHER INDICTMENTS

 Jose Martinez De La Cruz, 43, who has been living in Kansas City, Kan., although he is not a U.S. citizen, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported in 2010.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.

Alan Lopez-Perez, 29, who has been living in Shawnee, Kan., although he is not a U.S. citizen, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after twice being deported.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.

Thomas Vanlerberg, 60, Tonganoxie, Kan., is charged with one count of distributing methamphetamine and one count of possessing methamphetamine. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Feb. 1, 2017, in Leavenworth County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on each count. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri Catania is prosecuting.

 Jason E. Valles, 37, Atchison, Kan., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a user of controlled substances. The crime is alleged to have occurred June 14, 2018, in Atchison County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on the drug charge, not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the first firearm count and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the second firearms count. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.