Kansas Man Sentenced for Williston Bank Robbery

BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Jan. 23, 2013, Kent A. Clemens, 53, Topeka, Kan., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of bank robbery. Clemens pleaded guilty to the charge on Oct. 22, 2012.

Judge Hovland sentenced Clemens to serve three years and one month in federal prison, to be followed by two years of supervised release. Clemens was ordered to pay restitution of $500 and to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

On July 18, 2012, Clemens entered the Gate City Bank in Williston and demanded money from a teller. After receiving money, Clemens fled on foot from the bank. Clemens then traveled to Topeka. On July 21, 2012, Clemens contacted the Topeka Police Department and reported the he was the person who robbed the Gate City Bank in Williston. Investigators recovered some of the money from Clemens’s sister, who advised Clemens had given the money to her after returning from North Dakota.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Williston Police Department and the Topeka Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Volk prosecuted the case.