BENTONVILLE — Prosecutors want to have three trials for a Rogers man suspected of holding up three banks last year in Rogers.
Anthony Timothy Barnes is charged with three counts of aggravated robbery, a Class Y felony; and theft of property, a Class B felony.
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Stuart Cearley informed Circuit Judge David Clinger Wednesday of the intention to have a trial for each of the robberies.
Drew Ledbetter, who represents Barnes, said he intends to oppose the request, but wants time to discuss the issue with his client.
Clinger gave Cearley 30 days to file a written motion. Ledbetter will then have 30 days to file a response.
Clinger scheduled a hearing for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 28.
The maximum punishment Barnes faces increases with each count if the charges are dealt with separately. For example, if convicted at the first trial Barnes could be sentenced from 10 to 40 years or life imprisonment. A second conviction could mean from 40 to 80 years or life and the third conviction for aggravated robbery would result in an automatic life sentence, according to Cearley.
Barnes was arrested in connection with the May 2009 robbery at First Western Bank in Rogers.
He was initially arrested July 3, 2009, in connection with two bank robberies earlier that day.
He left the Bank of the Ozarks at 800 N. 47th St. with a bag containing more than $2,500, authorities say in court documents. A teller slipped a tracking device into the money bag. Police were able to find Barnes through the tracking device, according to court documents.
Less than an hour earlier, he left First Federal Bank at 1303 W. Hudson Road without any money. He had brandished a pistol that turned out to be a BB gun, court documents state.
Barnes is free after posting a $200,000 bond.