Sentenced for his role in two Posey County Community State Bank incidents.
PRESS RELEASE
Evansville – United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced today the sentencing of a Georgetown, Indiana, man on one count of bank robbery and one count of entering a bank with the intent to commit robbery. Patrick Leo Sandmann, 26, was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Judge Richard L. Young.
“Maintaining the safety of our Southern Indiana communities remains a top priority of this office,” said Minkler. “If you rob a bank in this district, you can be certain, we will arrest you, convict you and send you to federal prison for a very long time. “
On September 24, 2015, Sandmann entered the Community State Bank branch located on Evansville Street in Cynthiana, Indiana, and approached the teller’s window and handed the bank employee a note. The note contained the statements “give me all the money in your drawer” and “if you call the cops I will take you hostage.” The employee then removed all the cash, placed it in a bag, and handed it to Sandmann. Sandmann took the money and his note, leaving the bank with over $7,000.
On June 8, 2016, Sandman returned to Posey County to commit a second bank robbery. In that incident, Sandmann walked into the St. Wendel Community State Bank Branch and asked to use the restroom. A teller who witnessed the September 2015, robbery recognized Sandman and reported the situation to her manager. The manager approached Sandmann and told him there was no public restroom and he needed to leave.
The manager then called 911 and followed the suspect with his vehicle after he left the bank, reporting the suspect’s locations to law enforcement. The suspect crashed his vehicle in Posey County and then left the vehicle. Sandmann, fled into a nearby wooded area and was apprehended by a law enforcement canine officer shortly thereafter. A note was located on the ground near where Sandmann was apprehended which stated, “This is a robbery. Please remain calm. I need the money in the register. I don’t want to shoot anyone or take hostages.” Also located in the vehicle during the execution of a search warrant was a six-inch long knife and numerous personal documents belonging to Sandmann.
The case was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana State Police and the Posey County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela S. Domash, who prosecuted the case for the government, Sandmann must also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.