Karen Merrick, Bank Robbery Accessory, Iowa 2019

Iowa Woman Sentenced for Bank Robbery Accessory

Karen Merrick, 36, from Sioux City, Iowa, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for being an accessory after the fact to a bank robbery.

Merrick's sentence was handed down by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand on September 10, 2019, after she pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the United States Attorney's Office, Merrick knew Phillip White had robbed the Iowa State Bank in Le Mars, Iowa on December 12, 2018, and chose to help him escape the crime scene. Despite driving a U-Haul, Merrick led officers on a 20-mile car chase that reached speeds of 70 miles per hour, putting herself and others in danger.

Merrick has a significant history of criminal behavior and substance abuse, with previous convictions for assaultive conduct, escape, and interference with official acts.

As part of her sentence, Merrick was ordered to pay $21,223.11 in restitution to the Iowa State Bank and U-Haul of Sioux City, Iowa. She will also serve a two-year term of supervised release after completing her prison sentence.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Project Guardian, which aim to reduce violent crime and gun violence in communities. Merrick is currently being held in the United States Marshal's custody until she can be transported to a federal prison.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/getaway-driver-bank-robber-sentenced-federal-prison