Florissant Bank Robber Gets 11.5 Years

ST. LOUIS – A brazen daylight robbery turned attempted murder in Florissant landed 64-year-old Jeffery Alexander a hefty 138-month federal prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel declared Tuesday. Alexander, of St. Louis, didn’t just rob a bank; he fired a weapon at a civilian who dared to follow him.

Alexander pleaded guilty in February to one count of bank robbery, one count of discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The crime unfolded on April 13, 2022, at a bank in the 1000 block of North Highway 67. He walked in, brandishing a handgun, and demanded cash from a teller, stuffing the stolen money into a bag. Witnesses described him as wearing a dark rain poncho, a mask, and blue nitrile gloves – a pathetic attempt at disguise.

But the robbery didn’t end at the bank doors. A sharp-eyed witness followed Alexander, attempting to intervene. Alexander responded by firing a shot at the witness’ vehicle. He clearly wasn’t interested in a simple getaway. The intent was clear: silence anyone who could identify him. Fortunately, the witness wasn’t hit, but the act added significant time to Alexander’s eventual sentence.

Florissant Police Department officers and the FBI moved quickly. They located Alexander less than two miles from the scene, casually sitting in his Dodge Ram. Inside, they found the stolen cash, the discarded disguise, and the Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol used in both the robbery and the shooting. It was a sloppy scene, a testament to a career criminal who thought he could outsmart the system – again.

This wasn’t Alexander’s first rodeo. Far from it. Court records reveal a lengthy and violent criminal history. He previously received a 20-year sentence for an armed robbery in Illinois in 1981, and a staggering 55-year sentence for a second armed robbery conviction in the same state. Apparently, decades behind bars didn’t teach him a lesson. He’s a repeat offender, and the judge clearly recognized that.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley M. Walker successfully prosecuted the case, securing the 11.5-year sentence. The Florissant Police Department and the FBI conducted the investigation, bringing another dangerous criminal off the streets. Alexander’s sentence sends a message: armed robbery and violence won’t be tolerated, especially by those with extensive criminal records. He’ll have plenty of time to reflect on his choices – this time, within the confines of a federal prison.