Monona man sentenced to three years in federal prison for bank robbery

He threatened to blow up bank, prosecutors say

(File photo) Department of Justice seal in the US Attorneys office at the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)
(File photo) Department of Justice seal in the US Attorneys office at the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — A 21-year-old man who attempted to rob the Freedom Bank in Monona was sentenced Monday in federal court to three years in prison.

Tyler Koehler of Monona, pleaded guilty last November to attempted bank robbery. Koehler, during the the plea hearing, admitted he attempted to rob the bank June 9 of last year.

During the sentencing, prosecutors had information that Koehler passed multiple notes to the teller at the bank’s drive-up window. Each note threatened to “blow this place up” unless the teller gave him cash. The third note demanded $100,000.

The teller stalled him until police arrived and took him into custody, according to court documents.

Prosecutors said Koehler has multiple prior convictions for disorderly conduct in Wisconsin and Georgia.

U.S. District Senior Judge Linda Reade sentenced Koehler to three years in federal prison and he was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Koehler remains in custody with the U.S. Marshal’s Service until he can be taken to a designated prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Morfitt and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Monona Police Department, and the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.

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