Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
A federal jury has found Brian Keith Mays, a 58-year-old from Arkansas, guilty of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
The conviction stems from an incident on July 5, 2024, when Mays entered the FNB Community Bank in Harrah, Oklahoma, wielding a pistol and demanding money from the tellers. He left with $12,123.00 after they complied with his demands. FBI agents reviewed surveillance footage which captured Mays fleeing the scene and an eyewitness provided the tag number of his getaway vehicle. This led authorities to Mays through subsequent investigations.
Further evidence showed that location data from Mays's cell phone placed him near the bank during the robbery and later at a Walmart where he transferred $3,000 to someone in Arkansas. Surveillance video also showed him using cash to pay for items at Walmart.
Mays faces up to life imprisonment and fines reaching $500,000 at sentencing.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI Oklahoma City and Fort Smith Field Offices, Harrah Police Department, Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, and Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Gridley and Drew E. Davis are handling prosecution efforts.
Public filings provide additional details on this case.
