Department of Justice
United States Attorney John C. Richter
Western District of Oklahoma
December 18, 2008

CONTACT: Bob Troester 405/553-8999

LAWTON BANK BRANCH MANAGER CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLING MONEY AND THEN ARRANGING FOR TWO ACQUAINTANCES TO ROB THE BANK

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – John C. Richter, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, announced today that TODD VINCENT RUDISILL, 22, of Lawton, Oklahoma, has been indicted on charges of embezzlement, bank robbery, and conspiracy to commit bank theft, and that BRYAN ROSS BENTON, 23, and TYSON CHARLES MARTIN, 19, both of Stillwater, Oklahoma, have been charged with bank robbery and conspiracy to commit bank theft.  During the alleged embezzlement and at the time of the alleged robbery, Rudisill was the manager of a City National Bank branch in the Country Mart East Supermarket at 4510 Southeast Lee Boulevard in Lawton.
 
        The indictment alleges that from January 15, 2008, when Rudisill became the branch manager, to December 1, 2008, he embezzled more than $1,000 from the bank.  In particular, the indictment seeks forfeiture from Rudisill  in the total amount of $49,640, which represents the alleged proceeds of the embezzlement.  According to the indictment, Rudisill falsified bank records to conceal the fact that he had taken currency from the bank and then used the currency for his own purposes.

        The bank robbery and conspiracy charges arise from events on December 1 and 2, at the conclusion of Rudisill’s alleged embezzlement.  The indictment states that during the evening of December 1, Benton and Martin drove from Stillwater to Rudisill’s house in Lawton to plan a robbery of Rudisill’s City National Bank branch.  According to the indictment, Benton and Martin arrived at the branch at about 7:30 in the morning on December 2, shortly after Rudisill arrived at the bank.  The charges state that Benton entered the bank and presented a demand note to Rudisill, who gave Benton more than $60,000 in cash.  The indictment alleges that Benton and Martin then drove to Stillwater and hid the cash at Martin's residence.

        If convicted on the embezzlement count, Rudisill faces a potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.  If convicted of bank robbery, each defendant could be imprisoned for 20 years and fined up to $250,000; if convicted of conspiracy, each defendant could be imprisoned for five years and fined up to $250,000.  Any conviction will also result in mandatory restitution to he victim bank.

        The public is reminded that the indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

        These charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lawton Police Department, and the Stillwater Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chris M. Stephens and Scott E. Williams.

        Reference is made to the indictment for further information.