POWELL, Wyo. A Utah man who pleaded guilty to holding up credit unions and banks in four states after being arrested in North Dakota was sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison.
Joshua Beckstead, 32, was ordered to pay more than $14,000 in restitution to five institutions. As part of a plea agreement, a sixth count, related to an attempted robbery at Sunlight FCU in Cody, Wyo., was dismissed.
Beckstead was arrested in Riverdale, Utah on March 10 on allegations of passing forged checks and missing several previous court appearances. Over the objections of prosecutors, a state judge released Beckstead from jail on May 8. The furlough was intended for Beckstead to receive dental treatment, but he never showed up for his appointment or returned to jail as ordered and instead began his spree of robberies, beginning May 18 at Wasatch Peaks CU in Ogden.
In the following weeks he robbed First American Bank in Maysville, Okla., ANB Bank in Cheyenne, Wyo., First Bank of Wyoming in Cody, Wyo., and Altana FCU in Columbus, Mont.
On June 19, Beckstead reportedly walked into the Sunlight FCU in Cody and handed the teller a note reading, “Empty your drawer fast,” according to court records. However, there was no cash in the drawer that early in the day and Beckstead left with nothing.
