School district confirms woman charged with bank robbery is on administrative leave

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - On Tuesday, Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools confirmed that a woman accused of a late-January bank robbery is an employee now on administrative leave.

According to the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department, 50-year-old Willie Sampson and his wife, 50-year-old Kimberly Thomas-Sampson, were arrested on Feb. 24 for charges stemming from a Jan. 31, 2025 bank robbery.

As a result of Kimberly Thomas-Sampson’s arrest, it was revealed that she is an employee of KCKPS, serving as the district’s Special Education Coordinator. In response, KCKPS issued the following statement:

“Kimberly Thomas-Sampson is on administrative leave from her position as a Special Education Coordinator.

She was taken into custody yesterday by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. The situation is currently under investigation. As this is a personnel matter, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

Police were called to U.S. Bank at 10995 Parallel Parkway around 9:35 a.m. on reports that a suspect in a dark-colored hoodie, neon mask and sunglasses had shown a handgun and demanded money. The suspect left with an unspecified amount of money.

Around the same time, another call was placed to KCKPD, claiming that someone in a bulletproof vest had entered a KCK elementary school. Police determined there was no threat and believed the call was intended to divert officers away from the simultaneous bank robbery.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Married couple arrested following January armed bank robbery in KCK

In response to the robbery, a nearby elementary school part of the Piper School District went into lockout procedures. The lockout was soon lifted and PSD said there was no credible threat to the school.

On Feb. 24, Willie Sampson was arrested after a two-hour standoff at his home near N. 37th Street and Wood Avenue. KCKPD confirmed Kimberly Thomas-Sampson was arrested earlier that day at her workplace, now known to be KCKPS.

They are each charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated non-residential burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and theft.

The couple is in custody in the Wyandotte County Jail and each is being held on $250,000 bonds.

ALSO READ: Detective fired for posting meme on immigration rights after Homeland Security seen in Liberty