Lincoln man gets seven years in prison for robbing two Nebraska banks

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Lincoln man will spend seven years behind bars for robbing two Nebraska banks.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that 30-year-old Michael McNeil was sentenced Thursday for two counts of bank robbery.

U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard also ordered McNeil to pay $41,182 back to the banks he robbed.

On June 3, 2022, McNeil went into the Heartland Bank in Geneva, approached the window and gave the teller a “demand” note, the attorney’s office said.

The note told the teller to empty the cash drawer and no one would get hurt.  McNeil left the bank in a Jeep Cherokee, which did not have plates, with over $17,000 in cash.

About a month later, McNeil entered the U.S. Bank near 27th and Superior Streets in Lincoln.  He then handed the teller a note demanding that they empty their drawer.

The attorney’s office said McNeil left the bank with over $26,000 in cash.

On July 9, Lincoln Police pulled over McNeil, who was driving a car he had bought a day after the bank robbery.

McNeil admitted to officers that he had robbed U.S. Bank, according to the attorney’s office.

During a search of McNeil’s home, investigators found an unfinished demand note and clothing that matched the robber’s attire.

After his prison sentence, McNeil will serve a six-year term of supervised release.  There is no parole in the federal system.