Press Release

Iowa Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery of Princeton Bank

Friday, August 30, 2024

Blink points a firearm at the bank clerk during the armed robbery of First Interstate Bank.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Promise City, Iowa, man pleaded guilty in federal court today to the armed robbery of a Princeton, Mo., bank.

Phillip Michael Blink, 67, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

By pleading guilty today, Blink admitted that he robbed First Interstate Bank in Princeton on May 19, 2023. Blink, wearing a cowboy hat, a red bandana over his face, gloves and a trench coat, walked into the bank and approached a teller at approximately 9:25 a.m. Blink stated in a low voice: “I’m sorry, but this is going to be a bad morning.” Blink then placed a light blue bag on the countertop and stated: “I want all the money.” The teller began placing all the bills from her teller machine into the blue bag when Blink reached into his right pocket and pulled out a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Blink stated: “I told you it was going to be a bad morning.” Blink then set the firearm on the countertop and pointed it at the teller.

After taking $4,115, Blink left the bank and got into a Ford F-150 truck. He backed out of a parking space and went northbound on Highway 65. The bank manager took photographs of Blink and his truck while Blink was fleeing the scene. Employees of the bank called 911 for law enforcement assistance.

Later on the same day, Blink was pulled over by a Knoxville, Iowa, police officer. Officers arrested Blink, who admitted to the armed bank robbery. Officers searched his truck and found the Ruger handgun and clothing linked to the bank robbery, as well as the money that was stolen.

Under federal statutes, Blink is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years in federal prison without parole for armed bank robbery and an additional  mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, which must be served consecutively, for possessing a firearm in furtherance of the bank robbery. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the FBI.