Press Release

Columbia Man Charged with Bank Robbery, Brandishing Firearm During Violent Crime, and Illegal Firearm Possession

Thursday, May 14, 2026

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Mo., man was charged by a federal grand jury with bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Basil Jacob Kyles, 71, allegedly entered a bank in downtown Columbia, Mo., when he brandished a firearm and demanded that the teller give him money. The teller emptied her cash drawer that contained approximately $6,000 and gave it to Kyles. Kyles placed the money into a plastic bag and left the bank   

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Under federal statutes, Kyles is subject to a sentence of up to 25 years on the bank robbery charge, up to life imprisonment on the brandishing firearm charge, and up to 15 years on the felon in possession of a firearm charge. 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 U.S.  Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney, Jim Lynn. It was investigated by the Columbia, Missouri Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.