Jessamine County Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery

LEXINGTON, Ky. - A Nicholasville, Ky., man, Lenny Needy, 66, was sentenced on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, to 18 months in prison, for bank robbery by intimidation.

According to his plea agreement, on August 17, 2023, Needy robbed Traditional Bank on Nicholasville Road in Lexington. Specifically, Needy approached the teller window and handed her a note, then saying words to the effect: "This is a robbery, give me everything you have!" A teller was able to hit a silent alarm; but as she hit the alarm, Needy said not to hit any buttons and to hurry up with the money. Needy obtained $6,943 in cash from the teller and fled the scene. Law enforcement later identified Needy through cameras and DNA testing on his clothing.

Under federal law, Needy must serve 85 percent of his prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will be under the supervision of the U.S. Probation Office for three years.

Carlton S. Shier, IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Louisville Field Office; and Chief Lawrence Weathers, Lexington Police Department, jointly announced the sentencing.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI and Lexington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Chapman is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

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