Greene County man given prison time for bank robbery

A Greene County man was sentenced Nov. 30 in federal court for robbing an Empire Bank branch earlier this year, according to a news release from Beth Phillips, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Curtis Ralls, 44, was sentenced to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole for robbing Empire Bank, 3555 N. Glenstone Ave., in March.

On March 15, Ralls entered the bank and handed a bank teller a note that said, "I have a gun! Give me the money." The teller gave Ralls $1,720 from her drawer, and Ralls then left the bank.

After a description of the vehicle was broadcast to law enforcement, a Greene County Sheriff's deputy identified the vehicle and chased Ralls in a pursuit.

When the vehicle was stopped, Ralls was arrested, and officers found the stolen money.

A day later he faced charges in court.

The case was presided over by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Doug Bunch and investigated by the FBI and the Springfield Police Department.[[In-content Ad]]