Jacksonville, Arkansas – A Jacksonville man with a lengthy criminal history has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after admitting to robbing a bank in Arkansas, marking the second time he has been convicted of a federal bank robbery offense.
The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. According to federal officials, Bob Pilletto Best, 60, of Jacksonville, received a 240-month prison sentence from Chief United States District Judge Kristine G. Baker on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
In addition to the prison term, the judge ordered Best to serve three years of supervised release after completing his sentence. He was also directed to pay restitution to First Arkansas Bank & Trust equal to the amount of money taken during the robbery. Federal officials noted that there is no parole in the federal prison system, meaning inmates generally serve the sentence imposed by the court, subject to limited credits allowed under federal law.
The criminal case began when a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Best on April 1, 2025, charging him with one count of bank robbery. Months later, on January 8, 2026, Best pleaded guilty to that charge, avoiding a trial.
Robbery unfolded inside Jacksonville bank
According to investigators, the robbery took place on February 6, 2025, when officers with the Jacksonville Police Department were dispatched to First Arkansas Bank & Trust after receiving reports that a robbery had just occurred.
When officers arrived, bank employees described the suspect, who was later identified as Best.
Authorities said Best first entered the bank lobby and approached the counter while appearing to search for something to write with. A teller informed him that the bank no longer used paper deposit slips and offered to help him at one of the service windows.
Instead of conducting a normal banking transaction, Best approached the teller while keeping one hand tucked beneath his arm, creating the impression that he was armed.
Investigators said Best told the teller that he had a firearm and demanded all of the $50 and $100 bills from the cash drawer.
The teller complied with the demand and handed over $5,300, consisting of $50 and $100 bills. After receiving the cash, Best quickly ran out of the front entrance of the bank before officers could arrive.
Law enforcement officers immediately searched the surrounding area in an effort to locate the suspect, but he was not found that day.
Arrest came one day later
The investigation continued overnight, and on February 7, 2025, officers received information suggesting Best might be staying at an apartment in Little Rock.
When officers went to the residence, Best answered the door and immediately admitted responsibility for the robbery.
According to investigators, Best told officers, “I was the one who robbed the bank.”
Authorities said he later repeated that admission during a formal interview with investigators, again acknowledging that he had committed the crime.
Federal prosecutors also pointed to Best’s extensive criminal history during the case.
Court records show he had previously been convicted of bank robbery in Michigan in 2005, a crime that resulted in a 170-month federal prison sentence.
In addition to that conviction, Best has prior felony convictions for armed robbery, assault on a prison employee, second-degree forgery, forgery, and theft by receiving.
The investigation that led to Best’s arrest and prosecution was carried out jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jacksonville Police Department, whose work ultimately resulted in the successful federal prosecution and the 20-year prison sentence imposed by the court.
