Scott Thomas Balch, Robbery in Indian Country, Oklahoma 2020
Tulsa Man's Desperate Attempt at Robbery Ends in Prison Time
TULSA, Okla. - A Marietta man's attempt at robbing convenience stores with a BB airsoft gun has landed him in prison. Scott Thomas Balch, 50, was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
The crime began in October 2020 when Balch entered a convenience store, wearing a mask, brandished a BB airsoft pistol, and told the store clerk he would shoot them if they didn’t comply. The employee complied, opened the register, and gave Balch money.
Just a few weeks later, Balch entered the same convenience store and attempted to rob it again with the same BB airsoft pistol. After the employee ran in fear, Balch is seen on surveillance camera, going behind the counter and stealing several scratch-off lottery tickets.
The second robbery occurred in November 2020 when Balch entered a different convenience store, brandished the same BB airsoft pistol, and demanded money. The clerk complied and gave Balch the contents of the register.
Court records show that Balch was previously convicted in tribal and state courts for more than 11 felonies and three misdemeanors. The Cherokee Nation citizen will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The FBI, the Tulsa Police Department, and the Sand Springs Police Department investigated the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Dunn prosecuted the case. Balch's sentencing serves as a reminder that desperation and crime do not pay, and that law enforcement is always watching.
Marietta resident Scott Thomas Balch was sentenced to 63 months imprisonment for Attempted Robbery in Indian Country and two counts of Robbery in Indian Country. The crimes occurred in October and November 2020 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Defendant Name: Scott Thomas Balch
Exact Criminal Charges: Attempted Robbery in Indian Country and two counts of Robbery in Indian Country
City and State: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Exact Date: October and November 2020
Sentence or Outcome: 63 months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release
Key Facts
- State: Oklahoma
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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