CHARLESTON, WV – ROGER D. CHAPMAN, 30, of Walton, West Virginia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. to nine years in prison for bank robbery.

On September 6, 2007, while serving probation for a state unlawful wounding conviction, CHAPMAN entered the Traders Bank in Spencer, WV with the intent of robbing the bank. CHAPMAN encountered the branch bank vice president and held him hostage while holding a knife to the victim's throat. CHAPMAN then directed a bank teller to retrieve money from bank. While waiting on the bank teller to return, CHAPMAN ordered the hostage to hand over his personal money. CHAPMAN then fled the bank before the bank teller finished complying with his demands. CHAPMAN was quickly apprehended by the Spencer Police Department and a fire marshal despite CHAPMAN'S attempts to disguise himself by shaving his head.
At sentencing, Judge Copenhaver noted CHAPMAN'S criminal history involving attacks and assaults on multiple occasions, including convictions for domestic violence and unlawful wounding.

The Judge further commented that CHAPMAN'S actions have had a "profound, adverse affect on the victim." The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes handled the prosecution.