Two men indicted for armed robbery of a Keys bank pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

They face a bond appeal hearing at 8:45 a.m. today to see if they remain free on $10,000 signature bonds granted Dec. 7 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly West.

James Robert Hughart, 22, of Fort Gibson and Joshua Allen Toney, 24, of Porum are charged with:

• Bank robbery on Nov. 23.

• Carrying or brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

An affidavit filed in federal court states a video of the bank robbery shows a masked man pointing a gun directly at one of the female tellers.

Hughart has turned over a little more than $14,000 of the $31,504 taken in the robbery, an affidavit from an FBI agent states.

Hughart admitted his part in the robbery first to the FBI.

Toney turned himself in to Muskogee County Deputy Coletta Peyton on Thanksgiving, then admitted his complicity, according to a filing in U.S. District Court in Muskogee.

Officials recovered the mask they believe Toney wore in the robbery and about $2,000 in cash in the trunk of his vehicle.

Toney took FBI agents to a spot in the woods near Porum where he said his share of the money supposedly would be found. Only empty plastic bags were there, the filing states.

Court filings say Hughart and Toney admitted planning the robbery, which was carried out within 30 days of Hughart’s employment at the bank.

Bank videos showed Hughart texting (which is against bank policy) before the robbery and later opening the bank’s back door for the armed robber after the bank was closed. That, too, was against bank policy, the filing states.

Hughart told the FBI where to find the firearm Toney used and that Hughart admitted to providing.

West earlier freed both men over the strong objection of federal prosecutors. Prosecutors beefed up their appeal brief in hopes both men will be denied bail today.



What’s next



James Robert Hughart and Joshua Allen Toney will be back in federal court at 8:45 a.m. today. U.S. District Judge Ronald A. White will determine if they will remain free on bonds.



Reach Donna Hales at 918-684-2923 or Click Here to Send Email