Stiff Sentence For Bank Robbery

Wed., June 3, 1998

From Staff Reports

A Spokane man considered a “career criminal” will serve more than 12 years in federal prison for bank robbery.

Kevin S. Murphy, 37, was sentenced last week after pleading guilty to robbing a Wells Fargo bank, 6228 N. Monroe, of $1,496 on Nov. 29, 1996.

He also was charged with robbing a SeaFirst bank, 804 N. Monroe, of $2,214 on Dec. 12, 1996, and with the $1,900 holdup of Spokane Railway Credit Union, 1916 W. Francis, on June 10, 1997.

He pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. Two other counts were dismissed.

The plea agreement didn’t affect the sentencing range for Murphy because prior convictions make him a “career criminal offender,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Rice said.

Murphy was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 1989 for one of three bank robberies. He was sent to prison for 17 months in 1992 for robbing a bank in Seattle.

U.S. District Judge Fred Van Sickle sentenced Murphy on Friday to serve 151 months.

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