Bank robbery suspect pleads guilty

SANDPOINT — A Sandpoint man arrested on suspicion of robbing a Sandpoint bank last month pleaded guilty Wednesday.

Kevin Ray McMillan is scheduled to be sentenced in 1st District Court on July 20. He is charged with robbery, which carries a punishment of five years to life.

However, a sentence of five to 10 years with retained jurisdiction is being recommended. If jurisdiction is retained, McMillan could be released onto probation after serving six months at a state prison in Cottonwood.

McMillan entered the plea during a preliminary hearing in magistrate court. Judge Justin Julian accepted the plea, shifting the case to district court for sentencing.

McMillan’s bail was reduced from $100,000 to $40,000, according to court documents.

McMillan, 30, admitted robbing US Bank on May 20, reportedly making off with $1,004. McMillan was apprehended by Sandpoint Police immediately after the robbery. Police have recovered $999, police Chief Mark Lockwood said on Tuesday.

McMillan, police said, gave a note to a teller demanding case. He did not display a weapon other otherwise indicate he had one.

Federal authorities have declined to prosecute McMillan, which leaves the case within the state’s jurisdiction.

McMillan said in a written plea that he was admitting guilt to take responsibility for his actions and that he hopes obtain treatment for alcoholism, court records show. In letters to the court concerning other matters, friends and family said McMillan is a chronic alcoholic in dire need of treatment.

Police said McMillan appeared to be inebriated when he was arrested on the burglary charge.

McMillan’s plea marks the third consecutive robbery case in Bonner County where a defendant has foregone a trial and pleaded guilty. The two other robberies, which occurred at White Cross pharmacies in Priest River and Sandpoint, were also committed by defendants who admitted to having substance abuse problems.