NEW ROCHELLE, NY (May 3, 2022) — Mary Thompson, the 57-year-old former librarian from New Rochelle charged in connection with a bank robbery last May, pleaded guilty today before Judge Anne E. Minihan in the Westchester County Mental Health Court in White Plains, NY.
Mary Thompson may have robbed a bank, but she is no Bonnie Parker. Her appearance was that of a frail woman struggling to remain upright. Court officers provided her a chair during the proceedings. Judge Minihan had to admonish her to speak up, so she could be heard during the voir dire prior to Judge Minihan accepting her guilty plea.
Thompson was facing 3 counts: Robbery—1st, a B Felony, Grand Larceny—4th, an E Felony, and Petit Larceny, an A Misdemeanor.
Robbery in the First Degree is a class B violent felony that carries a 25-year maximum prison term upon conviction and a five-year mandatory minimum, even for someone who has never been arrested before.
Under a plea agreement, Thompson pleaded guilty to the two lower counts, Grand Larceny—4th, an E Felony, and Petit Larceny, an A Misdemeanor.
Thompson is scheduled to be sentenced on April 30, 2024.
Under a Mental Health Contract she signed today before Judge Minihan, Thompson is required to meet various obligations over the next two years prior to sentencing, including remaining sober, appearing at the Mental Health Court every Tuesday, fulfilling her treatment plan, and no new arrests. If she meets the terms of the contract, Judge Minihan issued a Sentence Promise to Thompson that she would be sentenced to 1-3 years probation with a $200 surcharge and a $50 DNA Fee on the A Misdemeanor (Petit Larceny). If she is unsuccessful in Mental Health Court, she would be sentenced on the B Felony with 1-3 years in state prison a $325 surcharge and a $50 DNA Fee.
As Thompson pleaded guilty, her aunt and sister, who drove to White Plains from Massachusetts to be in court, watched from the gallery. Afterward, both said they were satisfied with the outcome.
Her former boss issued a brief statement.
“Mary Thompson is a former employee of the New Rochelle Public Library,” said New Rochelle Public Library Executive Director Thomas Geoffino. She continues to be much beloved by many of the employees and patrons of our library. Our wish for her is to experience health and happiness in the future.”
In 2018, Thompson, Children’s Department Librarian II, was appointed acting Children’s Department Head Librarian III after the retirement of the permanent Librarian III. In 2018, her annual salary was $89,799.
Thompson was charged with Robbery in the First Degree, after an early morning bank robbery in downtown New Rochelle which briefly netted her $7,000.
On the morning of May 20, 2021, Thompson entered the Chase Bank branch at 270 North Avenue and handed a teller a note, stating “give me $100,000 I have a gun”. The teller turned over approximately $7,000, at which time Thompson left the Bank.
At approximately 9:48 a.m., New Rochelle Police Department Officers responded to the Chase Bank on a report of a Bank Robbery in progress. The responding officers quickly apprehended Thompson outside the bank without further incident.
Thompson was arraigned in front of Judge Jared Rice in New Rochelle City Court that afternoon. During a bail hearing, Thompson’s lawyer told the court she attended high school in Massachusetts, received her bachelor’s degree at Manhattan College and lived in New Rochelle for 12 years after having lived in Brooklyn for “20 to 30” years. Thompson was offered $5,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond or partially secured bond but never posted bail and has remained incarcerated at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla, NY since.
Thompson was remanded back to Valhalla this afternoon but will be released on her own recognizance once Judge Minihan has received confirmation of her housing and treatment plan, which is expected to be resolved by the time Thompson is next due back in court on May 17.
Anne E. Minihan is Administrative Judge for the Ninth Judicial District and presides over the Westchester County’s Mental Health Court.
The Westchester Mental Health Court is a partnership between the New York Supreme Court 9th Judicial District, Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH), Westchester County Department of Probation. This court provides diversion from the justice system for adults with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders who are facing non-violent felony charges. Collaboratively, the court and DCMH provide access to needed treatment and services that support recovery and promote public safety.
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