Coeur d’Alene Bandit Sentenced to 99 Months for Bank Robberies

COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO — A relentless criminal who couldn’t stay away from the life of crime has been given a severe reminder: don’t rob banks. Ricky Allen Fisher, 35, of Coeur d’Alene, faced the federal judge’s stern gaze and was sentenced to 99 months in federal prison for a string of bank robberies that shocked communities in Idaho and Oregon.

Fisher, who had previously served time behind bars, was given an opportunity for redemption after being released on May 6, 2014. Instead, he set his sights on the wallets of unsuspecting citizens, embarking on a spree that began just three days later. His first target was the Chase Bank in Ontario, Oregon, where he made off with $1,600.

Five days after his release, Fisher struck again at the U.S. Bank in Ontario, this time snatching $1,334. But he didn’t stop there. On May 16, 2014, he robbed the U.S. Bank in Cottonwood, Idaho, and walked away with $2,324.00.

U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced the sentence, noting that Judge Edward J. Lodge increased Fisher’s original sentence from 87 to 99 months due to his brazen act of recidivism within days of being released from prison. Lodge also ordered Fisher to pay restitution to each of the three banks he robbed.

In addition to Fisher’s own sentence, Jennifer Balfe, 19, who was driven to each bank by Fisher during his spree, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 27 months in prison for her role in the robberies.

The case was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lewiston City Police, Idaho State Police, Ontario City Police, Cottonwood City Police, and the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office. The relentless pursuit of justice has resulted in Fisher’s punishment for his crimes against financial institutions and the people they serve.