PEORIA, Ill. – A Springfield-area man is pleading guilty to federal charges of robbing mostly banks throughout central Illinois.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Peoria says John Beck, 55, of Mechanicsburg, pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of Bank Robbery, Interference with Commerce by Robbery, Armed Bank Robbery, and Attempted Escape.
Beck — whom prosecutors say was on parole for a bank robbery at the time of his arrest last April — allegedly robbed a bank in Elmwood that month, as well as other banks and businesses throughout multiple counties.
He also allegedly stole cars used in the robberies, and attempted to escape the Livingston County Jail last September, where he was held.
Beck will be sentenced May 25th and could face several decades in prison.
