Police say man from Protem buried $19,000 from bank robbery

Trent Singleton now facing federal charge

July 31, 2012|Edited Press Release | newsalerts@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Protem, Mo., man was charged in federal court today with robbing First Home Savings Bank in Forsyth, Mo.

Trent Allen Singleton, 43, of Protem, was charged in a federal criminal complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Springfield, Mo. Singleton remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012.

According to an affidavit filed in support of today’s criminal complaint, Singleton enteredFirst Home Savings Bank, 20377 U.S. Highway 160, Forsyth, at about 12:45 p.m. Monday, July 30, 2012. Singleton allegedly placed a green cloth bag on the counter and told two bank tellers, “I need you to put all your money in the bag. I know who you are. I know where you live. When I get out of jail, I will come back and find you.” He allegedly told the bank tellers he had a 9mm handgun and indicated the weapon was in his trouser waistband, though he never brandished a weapon during the robbery.

Singleton left the bank with the money he obtained from the tellers, the affidavit says. One of the tellers recognized Singleton, who had attempted to open an account at the bank earlier this month. Two law enforcement officers also recognized Singleton and identified him in the bank’s surveillance video.

Singleton was located in a rural area near FF Highway in Taney County, Mo. Singleton initially resisted the arrest and attempted to assault the arresting officers. Following his arrest, the affidavit says, Singleton took officers to the location where he had buried the stolen money at his residence. The officers unearthed approximately $19,000 that Singleton had hidden.

Ketchmark cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Abram McGull II. It was investigated by the Taney County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI.

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