Bank robber gets four years in federal prison

A 45-year-old Sioux Falls man was sentenced to four years in federal prison Monday after admitting to robbing a bank in March.

New details emerged on what pushed Rickey Starks, a man who had no prior criminal history, to hold up the Dacotah Bank on 10th Street.

“You robbed the bank because you didn’t get a job, you thought you would be evicted from your apartment and you needed to watch NFL Network,” Judge Karen Schreier said. “You had $2,800 in bills, and for that amount, you changed three women’s lives forever.”

On March 5, Starks walked into the bank armed with an airsoft handgun and demanded cash.

“Fill the bag,” he told the three bank tellers. The drive-up teller complied and placed $8,790 in Starks’ backpack. He then fled.

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Surveillance footage and photos of Starks were released to the public following the incident. A couple of tips from people who recognized his walk, pants and coat were phoned-in.

Starks was found at his home, just a few blocks from the bank. He was arrested following a three-hour standoff with law enforcement.

Until his arrest for bank robbery, Starks had only speeding and seat belt tickets on his criminal record. He doesn't have a protection order taken out against him and he's not involved in any civil lawsuit.

Starks apologized to the women who worked at the bank the day of the robbery.

“I was down and out because the day before I got rejected from a job because I was down and depressed,” Starks said. “I was the type of person who was independent and didn’t think I needed help from anyone else. I was wrong.”