BENTON — A Marion man was charged in a criminal complaint Friday in U.S. District Court with one count of bank robbery in connection with the armed robbery at the State Bank of Whittington in Benton last Thursday.

According to court records, 82-year-old Arthur W. Bays took money from a bank employee by force, violence and intimidation. Bays appeared in court on Friday where the magistrate judge released him on bond pending further proceedings in this matter.

If convicted, Bays could spend up to 20 years in prison and face a $250,000 fine.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Benton Police Department, the West City Police Department, the West Frankfort Police Department, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion Police Department.