Cedar Rapids woman sentenced in Washington, Iowa bank robbery

Verkisha L. Burns, 21, of Cedar Rapids, has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for the armed robbery of a Washington, Iowa, bank last October.

Burns pleaded guilty March 1 to bank robbery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime stemming from the Oct. 5, 2009, robbery at West Chester Savings Bank, 1060 W. Monroe St.

She was sentenced this morning in federal court in Davenport to consecutive terms of 43 months and 84 months on the two counts, for a total of 10 years 7 months.

Burns admitted brandishing a handgun at bank tellers and employees. She passed a note, excerpted in court documents:

“This is a robbery. Put the money in the bag. I you scream I will shoot. Put your hands where I can see them.”

Burns and her accomplices, Katelyn M. Curtis and Raylon D. Jones, left the bank with $3,760.

The three were arrested shortly after the robbery north of Washington, at the intersection of Highway 1 and 180th Street, after a witness spotted a car matching the description of the getaway car, driven by Burns.

Curtis, 18, of Cedar Rapids, and Jones, 19, of Washington, have also pleaded guilty to their roles in the robbery. Their sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 26.