Man Pleads Guilty After Robbery Was Foiled By Locked Door

One man’s criminal plans in Missouri were foiled last year after a locked door stopped him from entering a local bank.

At a Glance

Jacob Lowell Hessing, a Missouri man, attempted to rob a local bank but was foiled by a locked door.
The bank’s lobby was only open by appointment on Saturdays, preventing his entry.
Hessing pleaded guilty and faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Law enforcement found a loaded Diamondback rifle at his home during a search.

The Unsuccessful Attempt

On September 9, 2023, Jacob Lowell Hessing, a 26-year-old resident of New Franklin, Missouri, tried to rob the Exchange Bank of Missouri. Little did he know, his plans would be thwarted by the simplest of security measures: a locked door. The bank’s lobby is open by appointment only on Saturdays, and Hessing, without an appointment, was unable to gain entry and had to abandon his attempt.

Surveillance video showed Hessing, dressed in black and carrying an AR-style rifle, attempting to open the bank’s front door before driving away in a red Chevy Equinox. Concerned citizens in downtown New Franklin, which has a population of 1,000, observed the masked man and immediately reported him to the authorities.

Law Enforcement Response and Arrest

Investigators quickly traced the red Chevy Equinox to Hessing and executed a search warrant at his residence on October 30. During the search, law enforcement officials discovered a Diamondback rifle with a loaded magazine hidden in the basement, along with additional ammunition located in the vehicle and the kitchen.

On August 22, Hessing pleaded guilty to one count of attempted bank robbery before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr. His plea deal also included the forfeiture of the firearm to the government. By pleading guilty, Hessing admitted his role in the attempted robbery, reinforcing the importance of security measures in preventing crime.

Jacob Lowell Hessing, of New Franklin, MO, has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to rob a local bank but being foiled when the front door was locked.https://t.co/05R7iKVKYK

— FBI Kansas City (@FBIKansasCity) August 23, 2024

Potential Sentencing and Legal Proceedings

Hessing faces a significant potential penalty for his actions. The guilty plea exposes him to up to 20 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. A pre-sentence investigation will be conducted by the United States Probation Office, after which a sentencing hearing will be scheduled. The final sentencing will be guided by advisory guidelines and other pertinent factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Pierce is in charge of prosecuting Hessing. The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Howard County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation, ensuring a swift and thorough response to the attempted robbery.