88-year-old Montana man sentenced to prison for role in 2 bank robberies

An 88-year-old man was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for his role in two bank robberies four days apart, according to the U.S. attorney in Montana.

Steven Whitecloud of Billings, Montana, pleaded guilty in February to one count of bank robbery, stemming from his alleged involvement in two bank robberies that occurred in August.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters sentenced Whitecloud to two years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

The court also ordered Whitecloud to pay $3,092 in restitution.

The U.S. Attorney's Office alleged in court documents that on August 24, 2023, Whitecloud's co-defendant, Patrick Justice, 26, entered a U.S. bank and presented the teller with a note demanding money. The teller agreed and Justice fled in a green Ford Taurus.

Four days later, the judge entered a Wells Fargo bank and again presented the teller with a note demanding money, telling the teller that he was “tied up”, which the teller interpreted to mean that the judge said he was armed. The teller gave Justice money.

As police responded to the scene, they saw Justice enter the green Ford Taurus. After a pursuit, officers stopped the vehicle and arrested Justice along with Whitecloud, who was driving. Authorities said the two men stole a total of $15,000 during the two robberies.

Justice is Whitecloud's grandson, according to court documents filed by the defense.

Whitecloud, who was convicted of bank robbery in 2008 and sentenced to 10 years in state prison, told officers he suggested he and the judge rob banks to make money, as he had done so in the past. Whitecloud said he told the court which banks they should hold and acted as a leak engine.

Whitecloud suffers from serious health issues, including stage 5 lung cancer in remission, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis C, high blood pressure, arthritis and scoliosis. He requires supplemental oxygen and has limited mobility.

Since 2017, Whitecloud has had three criminal convictions, including a felony for criminal mischief after discharging a firearm at a victim who caught him and another person stealing the victim's truck .

“He is experiencing a very difficult end of life,” reads the US Attorney’s sentencing memorandum. “And again. Despite all his illnesses and infirmities, the defendant has repeatedly proven himself to be a significant danger to the community.

Whitecloud was ordered to report to the U.S. Marshals Service while awaiting assignment to a Bureau of Prisons medical facility. Justice was also sentenced to two years in prison for his conviction.

CORRECTION (June 23, 2024, 6:40 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article incorrectly stated the number of robberies to which Whitecloud had pleaded guilty. He pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery, not two.