Fort Wayne Man Sentenced to 29 Years for Springboro Bank Robbery

A Fort Wayne man has been sentenced to 29 years in prison for his role in the armed robbery of a bank in Springboro, Ohio. Anthony Marquette Phillips, 44, was sentenced to 235 months in prison for his role in the April 27, 2012 robbery, plus an additional 120 months for using and discharging a firearm during the course of the robbery.

According to court documents, Phillips and his accomplice, Anton Jevon Alexander, 36, of Indianapolis, Indiana, approached the bank manager as he was entering the building’s rear door at 8:30 in the morning and pushed him inside. The would-be robbers attempted to flee when they heard police arriving, but Phillips fired a shot at the manager, who escaped safely.

Springboro police officers received a 911 call and arrived at the bank around 8:40. The men remained in the bank until approximately 1:30 Friday afternoon when they emerged and were taken into custody.

Each defendant pleaded guilty on October 12, 2012. Alexander was sentenced on May 7, 2013 to 15 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Carter M. Stewart commended the prompt response and investigation by Springboro police and FBI agents, as well as District Criminal Chief Kenneth L. Parker and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Greg Stephens with Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser’s Office, who represented the United States in the case.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Michael Barrett on June 12. The cooperative response and investigation by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office — Tactical Response Unit, Hostage Negotiation Team, the police departments in Miami Township, Franklin, Lebanon, Dayton and Clearcreek Township, the Clearcreek Township Fire Department, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol were also commended by U.S. Attorney Stewart.

RELATED: ATM Jackpotting