Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Criss Duncan, 43, Shipshewana, was sentenced in federal court last week on charges resulting from the May 27 armed robbery of National City Bank, Leesburg, in which Duncan and Ralph Berkey, 34, Elkhart, fired shots at Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs.
Duncan was sentenced to nearly 40 years for his role in the robbery, reportedly the lengthiest sentence U.S. District Court judge Allen Sharp ever meted out for armed robbery.
Factors leading to the 38-year-and-one-month sentence include Duncan's criminal history, which includes a 1983 conviction for voluntary manslaughter, and the type of weapons used in the robbery.
The guns used in the robbery and to shoot at Hobbs are qualified as machine guns.
In December, Duncan was convicted of armed robbery, using a firearm during a violent crime, being a felon in possession of a firearm and arson.
The arson charge is a result of the burning of their "getaway" vehicle.
Berkey pleaded guilty to similar charges and received a plea agreement in exchange for his testimony against Duncan.
Berkey will be sentenced in federal court April 16.
In Kosciusko County, Berkey and Duncan were charged with attempted murder for firing at Hobbs.
Berkey was sentenced March 11 in Kosciusko Circuit Court on a charge of attempted manslaughter, as a lesser and included offense of attempted murder.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, a $1 fine and court costs. Judge Rex Reed, Kosciusko Circuit Court, ordered the sentence served consecutive to his pending federal charges.
Duncan has an initial hearing in Circuit Court and will appear for a status conference next month.
