MEADVILLE — A Natchez man was sentenced to 40 years in jail Tuesday for his role in a December 2009 bank robbery in Franklin County.

Eric Foster, 333B Dumas Drive, who was 34 at the time of his arrest earlier this year, was convicted after a trial in Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson’s court that began and ended Tuesday, District Attorney Ronnie Harper said.

Foster was one of three men charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery in the case.

Tyrone Butler, 48B Forest St., Natchez, pleaded guilty to the charges several weeks ago and was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in jail.

Harper said Butler testified against Foster this week, giving statements that were crucial to the case.

Both Butler and Foster were arrested for the crime in May.

Donald J. Wilson, 278 Cranfield Road, Natchez, was arrested in January 2010. He was convicted and sentenced to serve 40 years in September 2010.

The three men coordinated the entry of the Bank of Franklin the afternoon of Dec. 2, 2009; two of the men jumped the counter and overtook two tellers, leaving with an undisclosed amount of money, while the third drove the getaway car.

Harper said he was pleased to have resolution to the cases.