Miss. man pleads guilty to bank robbery

Patrick E. Newman, 46, of Blue Mountain, Miss., pleaded guilty to one felony count of bank robbery Wednesday before United States District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., in Cape Girardeau.

With his plea, Newman admitted to buying two cellphones on Nov. 30 from a Walmart in Pocahontas, Ark., and having one phone delivered to a teller at People's Community State Bank in Doniphan, Mo. A teller called the only number in the phone's directory, which was the other phone Newman purchased. Newman admitted to telling the teller he'd placed bombs in a local school and day care, and demanded $25,000 in unmarked bills be dropped off at an intersection.

The teller contacted the Doniphan Police Department, and Doniphan School District was locked down. Police searched the school and failed to locate a bomb.

Police located the man who left the phone with the teller, and he identified Newman as the person who had given him the cellphone and told him to deliver it to the teller at People's Community State Bank.

Newman faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

In determining the actual sentence, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges. Sentencing has been set for Aug. 26.

Pertinent address:

Doniphan, MO