Clarence Waters Press Release (Sentencing)

November 8, 2007
For Immediate Release

ILLINOIS MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON ON FEDERAL CHARGES INVOLVING THE ROBBERY OF THE HANNIBAL BANK

St. Louis, Missouri: Clarence Waters was sentenced to 240 months in prison for the March 23 robbery of the Bank of Hannibal, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway and Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Redington announced today. Co-defendant Shiaji-Shima Skuko Small is scheduled for sentencing on December 4.

"Thanks to the brave actions of a customer, these two were apprehended and held accountable for terrorizing honest citizens," said Hanaway. "The length of this sentencing sends the message that these crimes carry serious consequences."

Prosecutor Redington has state charges pending against Waters for assaulting a bank teller and a customer, which are set for jury trial in Hannibal, Missouri, on February 13, 2008. Waters could receive life in prison on those charges.

On March 23, 2007, Clarence Waters and Shiaji-Shima Skuko Small drove to Hannibal, Missouri, to rob a bank. Waters, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, walked into a real estate company and demanded money while Small stayed in the car. When informed that the bank was next door, he struck a customer in the head with the shotgun, causing him to bleed. He took a hostage from the real estate company and entered the Bank of Hannibal where he demanded money and beat on a desk with the rifle. He released the hostage, but the teller, acting out of fear, gave him about $7,400. Waters left the bank and returned to the car where Small was waiting. They left the area but were followed by the customer from the real estate office, who had been assaulted earlier. The customer was able to flag down a policeman who arrested both defendants. The money was recovered.

CLARENCE WATERS of Rockport, Illinois, pled guilty in July to one felony count of bank robbery and one felony count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel.

SHIAJI-SHIMA SKUKO SMALL of Monroe City, Missouri, pled guilty in August to one felony count of bank robbery and will be sentenced December 4.

In addition to Prosecuting Attorney Redington, Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Hannibal Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan, who handled the case for the U. S. Attorney’s Office.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI CATHERINE L. HANAWAY United States Attorney	NEWS RELEASE
For further information: Call Public Affairs Officer Jan Diltz at (314) 539-7719
November 8, 2007 For Immediate Release ILLINOIS MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON ON FEDERAL CHARGES INVOLVING THE ROBBERY OF THE HANNIBAL BANK St. Louis, Missouri: Clarence Waters was sentenced to 240 months in prison for the March 23 robbery of the Bank of Hannibal, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway and Marion County Prosecuting Attorney Tom Redington announced today. Co-defendant Shiaji-Shima Skuko Small is scheduled for sentencing on December 4. "Thanks to the brave actions of a customer, these two were apprehended and held accountable for terrorizing honest citizens," said Hanaway. "The length of this sentencing sends the message that these crimes carry serious consequences." Prosecutor Redington has state charges pending against Waters for assaulting a bank teller and a customer, which are set for jury trial in Hannibal, Missouri, on February 13, 2008. Waters could receive life in prison on those charges. On March 23, 2007, Clarence Waters and Shiaji-Shima Skuko Small drove to Hannibal, Missouri, to rob a bank. Waters, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, walked into a real estate company and demanded money while Small stayed in the car. When informed that the bank was next door, he struck a customer in the head with the shotgun, causing him to bleed. He took a hostage from the real estate company and entered the Bank of Hannibal where he demanded money and beat on a desk with the rifle. He released the hostage, but the teller, acting out of fear, gave him about $7,400. Waters left the bank and returned to the car where Small was waiting. They left the area but were followed by the customer from the real estate office, who had been assaulted earlier. The customer was able to flag down a policeman who arrested both defendants. The money was recovered. CLARENCE WATERS of Rockport, Illinois, pled guilty in July to one felony count of bank robbery and one felony count of carrying a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. SHIAJI-SHIMA SKUKO SMALL of Monroe City, Missouri, pled guilty in August to one felony count of bank robbery and will be sentenced December 4. In addition to Prosecuting Attorney Redington, Hanaway commended the work performed on the case by the Hannibal Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan, who handled the case for the U. S. Attorney’s Office.