Man pleads guilty to bank robbery

A man accused of robbing a Cape Girardeau bank admitted to his crime Monday morning in federal court.

DePaul Bush, 36, changed his plea to guilty on one count of bank robbery before U.S. District Judge Audrey Fleissig.

During the hearing, Bush admitted to stealing more than $3,500 by force Aug. 14 from Regions Bank on South Mount Auburn Road. The bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Fleissig read the charges to Bush, then asked him whether he knew what he was doing at the time of the robbery.

Bush sighed and paused.

"Yes. I did," he said.

Bush admitted to entering the bank through the front door, putting a deposit slip and bag on the counter and telling an employee to give him $100 and $50 bills.

After the teller complied, Bush told her he wanted more, so she unlocked a second drawer and gave him the cash in that drawer, Fleissig said during the proceedings.

In exchange for his guilty plea, no further federal charges relating to the case will be brought against Bush in the Eastern District.

Bush also agreed to forfeit all property seized as evidence -- namely, the money recovered from where he dropped it in the Saint Francis Medical Center parking lot.

Fleissig ordered a presentencing report by the U.S. Probation Office and set Bush's sentencing for 10 a.m. Jan. 19. Bush will remain in custody until that time.

The maximum penalty allowed in this instance is a 20-year prison sentence, $250,000 fine or both and a possible three-year supervised release. Parole is not a possibility.

In entering his plea, Bush waived his right to appeal the conviction.

kwebster@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3646

Pertinent address:

599 Independence St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703

101 S Mt Auburn Rd, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703