Burnsville man sentenced for role in credit union robbery

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: May 16, 2008 - 10:19 AM

A Burnsville man found guilty of robbing a credit union will pay for his misdeed by spending 41 months in prison.

In addition to jail time, John Christian Buttner was given three years of supervised release, according to the sentence handed down Thursday by United States District Court judge Paul Magnuson.

Buttner, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery for a holdup that occurred July 23, 2007 at the U.S. Federal Credit Union in Burnsville.

According to an FBI affidavit, Buttner entered the credit union and ordered a teller to "Give me all your money and stay calm." After getting about $7,910 in a black leather bag, Buttner exited the bank and ran into a nearby wooded area.

Burnsville police identified Buttner as the suspect by viewing credit union surveillance photos and from interviews with witnesses. Officers executed a search warrant at Buttner's apartment on July 24 and found the black bag, cash and clothing that appeared to match those worn by the robber.

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