Springfield, Ill. - A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging a Springfield, Illinois man and woman with the armed bank robbery of Security Bank on January 3, 2008. Robert C. McAllister, 27, of the 200 block of South 11th Street, and Marisol Benson, 39, of the 1600 block of East Adams Street, were previously charged in a criminal complaint filed January 7, 2008.

The indictment alleges that McAllister robbed Security Bank, located in the 300 block of South Grand Avenue West in Springfield, Illinois, of approximately $5,315, and that Benson aided in the robbery by providing a vehicle and driving McAllister to and from the bank on January 3, 2008.

McAllister and Benson have been ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. If convicted, armed bank robbery is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The charge is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Springfield Police Department. The Auburn Police Department also assisted in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Chesley.