TOPEKA, KAN. - A Cloud County man has pleaded guilty to planning a 2008 bank robbery in Jamestown, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Ryan Michael Steinert, 24, Concordia, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery. In his plea, he admitted he conspired with co-defendant Eric Lee Strait to rob the Jamestown State Bank on Nov. 14, 2008. Strait entered the bank about 9:45 a.m. wearing a mask and brandishing a Remington, 12 gauge, pump-action shotgun. He filled a duffle bag with money and drove away.
Weeks before the robbery, Steinert conspired with Strait to plan the crime. Steinert admitted the following acts:
- Accompanying Strait as Strait stole the shotgun used in the robbery.
- Driving Strait to where the stolen car was hidden and helping to position the car prior to the robbery
- Helping wipe down the stolen vehicle to remove fingerprints and physical evidence.
- Helping Strait dispose of the shotgun after the robbery.
- Receiving a share of the stolen money.
Steinert’s sentencing is set for Oct. 9. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Co-defendant Eric Lee Strait pleaded guilty to bank robbery and is set for sentencing Aug. 5.
Grissom commended the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag for their work on the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
