A Sparta man was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 12 for allegedly robbing a Great Southern Bank branch in Nixa, according to a news release from Beth Phillips, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
According to the indictment, Joshua T. Caprarella was charged for the May 6 robbery.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Nixa Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas C. Bunch, the release said.
In a separate news release, Phillips’ office announced that Curtis L. Ralls of Greene County pleaded guilty May 10 in federal court to robbing the Empire Bank branch at 3555 N. Glenstone Ave., on March 15. Ralls was indicted for that crime on April 7.
According to the release, Ralls presented a teller with a note that indicated he had a gun and wanted money. The teller gave Ralls $1,720, and he left the bank.
A vehicle description was broadcast and a Greene County Sheriff’s deputy identified a vehicle matching the description. A pursuit ensued, and when the vehicle was stopped, Ralls was arrested. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement officers found the stolen money.
Under federal statutes, Ralls is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000.
A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.
Ralls’ case, which was investigated by the FBI and the Springfield Police Department, also was prosecuted by Bunch, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]
