March 29, 2024

Great Western Bank robber sentenced to 10 years in prison

Phillips due back in court July 23

Michael D. Phillips, the Newton man who robbed Great Western Bank May 1, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to second-degree robbery.

According to Jasper County Court records, Judge Brad McCall has ordered Phillips to serve at least 50 percent of his sentence before the 22-year-old will be eligible for parole. He has also been ordered to pay $2,340 in restitution to the bank.

Phillips was arrested by Newton Police Department officers shortly after 2 p.m. May 3, behind the Manhattan bar in downtown Newton following a two-day search. He had apparently been wearing a disguise which included a blonde wig, according to police.

Bank employees identified Phillips as the prime suspect, and police issued an arrest warrant that day.

Phillips pleaded guilty to robbing the bank Bank, 511 First Ave. E. ​after withdrawing his earlier plea of not guilty. Bank employees reported Phillips handed a teller a note reading he had a bomb and was demanding money. After exiting the bank with an undisclosed amount of money, Phillips ran southbound eventually discarding his clothing and a pillow, which he indicated was a bomb, two blocks from the bank.

Phillips is set for a pre-trial hearing on the second count of his indictment, threat of an explosive or incendiary device, at 9 a.m. July 23 in Jasper County District Court.

If Phillips decides to appeal Wednesday’s sentencing he will not be allowed out on bond.