A Howard County man pleads guilty in federal court to attempting to rob a New Franklin bank.
Jacob Hessing, 26, of New Franklin, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of attempted bank robbery. He awaits sentencing but faces up to 20 years in a federal prison and must forfeit his gun.
It was last September when concerned citizens reported a man, later identified as Hessing, was spotted walking through the downtown dressed in all black, wearing a mask, and carrying a semi-automatic rifle. The man grabbed the front door of Exchange Bank to enter but found it locked, not realizing the front door is locked on Saturdays and the lobby is only accessible by appointment…