Cincinnati man sentenced to 52 months for bank robbery in Kentucky

A Cincinnati man, James Stratman, 23, was sentenced this month to 52 months (four years and four months) in prison by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, for bank robbery.

According to his plea agreement, on Sept. 26, 2022, Stratman entered a bank in Covington, Ky. and showed the bank teller a note that indicated he was robbing the bank.  The teller gave Stratman $1,583, and after receiving the money, he retrieved the note and fled from the bank on foot.  

Approximately, one hour after the bank robbery, law enforcement located Stratman in the vehicle, and he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Covington and into Cincinnati. At sentencing, it was determined that the defendant created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury during his flight from law enforcement.

Under federal law, Stratman must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael E. Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Col. Brian Valenti, Chief of Police, Covington Police Department announced the sentence. 

The investigation was conducted by FBI and the Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Winslow prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.