Missouri couple guilty of Columbia bank robbery

 

Two Chesterfield, Mo., residents entered guilty pleas Thursday in federal court to the Feb. 4, 2013 bank robbery of Commerce Bank in Columbia.

Darren E. Everett, 43, and girlfriend Mackenzie A. Leonard, 28, admitted in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis to robbing the bank, which is located next to Schnucks. Both face up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Sentencing is set for Dec. 19.

Everett and Leonard were arraigned back in March. Court information states that Leonard entered the bank in the afternoon wearing a wig disguised as an elderly woman, handed the teller a note indicating she had a gun and demanded money.

Leonard left the bank with $1,782. Both were arrested at their home a few days later. They are both currently detained on separate charges pending in St. Louis.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Stephen R. Wigginton said $250 of the amount stolen from the bank was “bait money.” Officers arrested Everett and Leonard at their residence on Feb. 8, 2013. Both were taken to the Town and Country Police Department in Missouri. Two of the $50 bait bills were found in Everett’s wallet at the time of his arrest. Both Everett and Leonard admitted their role in the robbery.

The case was investigated by the Columbia Police Department, Illinois State Police, Town and Country Police Department, St. Louis County Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

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Corey Saathoff

Corey is the editor of the Republic-Times. He has worked at the newspaper since 2004, and currently resides in Columbia. He is also the principal singer-songwriter and plays guitar in St. Louis area country-rock band The Trophy Mules.
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