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Robber Who Threatened to Blow Up Bank and Casino with Nitroglycerin Facing Long Prison Sentence

Posted on November 19, 2014
Isle Vista Capri Kansas City
Isle of Capri Casino, Kansas City, Mo. (Photo: Missouri Gaming Commission)

KANSAS CITY, MO— A man who threatened to blow up a bank and a casino with nitroglycerin is now facing up to 40 years in prison for robbing a bank and attempting to rob a casino, officials said.

James T. Smith, 62, of Kansas City, was found guilty of both counts on Wednesday, officials said.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Smith used a demand note to steal $1,053 from Commerce Bank in Kansas City on May 18, 2013.

Just after midnight the next morning, officials said. Smith threatened a cashier in an unsuccessful attempt to rob the Isle of Capri Casino, Kansas City, Mo.

In both instances, Smith used a note to demand month and verbally threatened to blow up the bank and casino with nitroglycerin.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court deliberated for about one and a half hours before returning the verdicts,  ending a trial that began Monday.

Smith is facing up to 40 years in prison, plus up to a $500,000 fine.  A sentencing date has not yet been set, officials said.

 

COURT INFORMATION LINKS:

US SUPREME COURT FEDERAL COURT WEBSITE LINKS FBI PRESS RELEASES / MOST WANTED CIA PRESS RELEASES / LIBRARY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE / PRESS RELEASES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: HOW TO HIRE A LAWYER FEDERAL COUNTER TERRORISM GUIDE AMERICAN COURTHOUSE INFORMATION

NEWS SOURCES:

THE GUARDIAN CNN NEWS COURTHOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE NEW REPUBLIC HUFFINGTON POST CBS NEWS MSNBC NEWS MEDIA MATTERS FOR AMERICA CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY NPR NEWS INSTITUTE FOR FREE SPEECH BBC ROLLING STONE FACTCHECK.ORG

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