NEW FRANKLIN, MO – A New Franklin couple is facing federal charges after allegedly attempting to rob a local bank and illegally possessing firearms. Jacob Lowell Hessing, 25, and his wife, Tristen Nicole Hessing, 25, were indicted by a federal grand jury last week, with the charges unsealed following their arrests. The couple’s troubles began last September when Jacob allegedly tried to knock over the Exchange Bank of Missouri in their hometown.
According to the indictment, Jacob Hessing is accused of attempting the bank robbery on September 9, 2023. Beyond the attempted heist, both Jacob and Tristen Hessing are charged with one count each of being felons in possession of firearms. Authorities seized a Diamondback Arms rifle and a Rossi .38 special revolver during an investigation on October 30, 2023 – weapons they were legally barred from owning.
Federal law is clear: convicted felons cannot possess firearms or ammunition. Jacob Hessing’s rap sheet reveals a history of drug-related offenses, including two prior felony convictions for distribution/manufacture of drugs and one for possession of a controlled substance. Tristen Hessing also has a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance. This isn’t a case of simple possession; the couple allegedly had a cache of ammunition, including multiple magazines loaded with “dozens of rounds,” according to the indictment.
If convicted, the Hessings could lose more than just their freedom. The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation, meaning the government intends to seize the Diamondback rifle, the Rossi revolver, and all associated ammunition. This is standard practice in federal firearms cases, aimed at removing illegal weapons from circulation and preventing future crimes. Jacob Hessing is currently detained awaiting a detention hearing on Wednesday, March 6, while Tristen Hessing has been released on bond.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa A. Pierce is prosecuting the case, which was a joint investigation by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Howard County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department. The investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” – a program touted as a collaborative effort to reduce violent crime and gun violence in communities across the nation.
The charges against the Hessings are, at this stage, merely accusations. The government bears the burden of proving their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a federal jury. Until then, both defendants are presumed innocent. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments as they occur.
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- Jardell Williams, Illegal Firearms, Springfield MO, 2024 · Kansas
- Ezekiel King, Illegal Firearms, Springfield MO, 2024 · Kansas
- Jacob Horwitz, Illegal Firearm Possession, Oklahoma City 2023 · Oklahoma
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