Would-be Kankakee bank robber gets prison time

URBANA — A Kankakee man who planned to rob two banks in the city has been sentenced to more than 15 ½ years in federal prison.

Twenty-six-year-old Nevin L. Lenton was sentenced last week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Urbana announced the sentencing Tuesday.

Lenton pleaded guilty to attempted bank robbery, attempted aggravated bank robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.

In the first robbery attempt, in September 2012, Lenton entered a bank wearing a bandanna around his face and brandishing a pellet gun.

He slipped and fell on his way in, then dropped his pellet gun and fled when a security guard drew his weapon.

Lenton was arrested a month later while traveling to another bank with two firearms and an undercover officer posing as an accomplice.