Accused Spokane bank robber pleads guilty in Illinois

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — An unemployed Spokane restaurant worker faces September sentencing after admitting in federal court Thursday that he robbed banks in Illinois and two other states. Carl Frederick Kieffer, 49, of Spokane, pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges involving holdups weeks apart in Illinois, Michigan and Wyoming before his arrest last October two hours after making off with $3,300 from a bank in O’Fallon, an Illinois suburb of St. Louis. Federal officials handling the prosecution of the robberies last Aug. 26 in Lusk, Wyoming, and Oct. 9 in Charlotte, Michigan, where authorities say Kieffer absconded with about $4,700, agreed to let their cases be consolidated with the Illinois heist to resolve those crimes. In a financial affidavit filed with the court, Kieffer has said he last worked in August for a Jack in the Box restaurant in Spokane, where he earned $900 a month. Kieffer said his debts included $480,000 to one hospital and $120,000 to another, though he did not specify his health issues. The FBI has said Kieffer also admitted he robbed other banks last summer, including in Ohio’s Tipp City and Bolivar, and Illinois’ Farmersville. It was not immediately clear Thursday if those alleged holdups produced charges. When sentenced Sept. 4, Kieffer faces up to 20 years in prison, as much as $250,000 in fines in each of the holdups, and possible restitution. He remains jailed without bond.