Independence Man Indicted for Bank Robbery, Attempted Bank Robberies

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for attempted bank robbery and bank robbery.

Ernest A. Wilcox, 66, of Independence, Mo. was charged in a three-count indictment returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo. on Nov. 21, 2025.

The indictment was unsealed and made public following Wilcox’s arrest.

The indictment alleges Wilcox attempted to rob a bank in Kansas City, Mo. on May 8, 2024.  The indictment also alleges that on June 11, 2024, Wilcox robbed a bank in Independence, Mo., and attempted to rob the same bank on July 3, 2024.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Under federal statutes, each count of bank robbery, or attempted bank robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It was investigated by the FBI, the Independence, Missouri Police Department, and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.