News Editor- Jenna Anderson
Gustavus Health and Exercise Science Professor Aaron Banks is facing charges of Felony Theft and Felony Possession of Burglary or Theft Tools, according to the Hennepin County District Court. Banks allegedly stole a total of $1299.84 of merchandise from the Scheels sporting goods store in Eden Prairie. Including boxes of ammunition, AR-15 triggers, and an AR-15 Charging Handle.
As of March 17, 2026, Banks has been released without bail under the conditions of obeying all laws, keeping off the premises of Scheels stores in Hennepin County, no possession of any weapons, and not leaving the state without court permission, according to the Court Order for Conditional Release.
The arrest happened on March 14, 2026, around 5:08 p.m., when “Eden Prairie Police responded to a report of a male concealing merchandise on his person in Scheels,” according to the Hennepin County District Court Order For Detention.
The suspect was later confirmed to be Aaron Banks, who allegedly “held the box in his left hand and used his right hand to get a pocketknife from his right pocket, which he then used to cut the plastic casing on the AR trigger to get it off of the display peg without unlocking the security lock.”
According to the Court Order For Detention, Banks then allegedly placed the AR trigger in his right pocket and attempted to exit the building with the concealed items.
In an official statement, Senior Communications Advisor JJ Atkin said, “The College is aware of the charges and can confirm that Professor Banks is on leave as of March 15, 2026. At this time, we have no indication that these charges are connected with the College in any way. The College is working with instructional faculty to cover his teaching and advising responsibilities in light of his not being on campus. Since this is an active legal case and personnel matter, the College has no further comment at this time.”
It’s clear that this news has shocked students who have worked with Professor Banks. His advisee, Junior Kennedy Johnson, said, “he was a huge mentor to me, and was super foundational in me becoming an HPET (Health and Physical Education Teaching) major.”
Johnson also took the 2025 Olympic Quest May Away Course, for which Banks was a professor. When she found out the news, she “was in a state of disbelief to say the least,” stating that this was “definitely the most unexpected thing to ever happen to me here.”
Junior Marcus DeWitte had Professor Banks for several classes and is participating in the 2026 Olympic Quest May Away.
“I was initially shocked, I don’t know who wouldn’t be,” DeWitte said. He encouraged students to, despite the shocking situation, “be respectful to Banks and his family.”
This is an ongoing legal case that the College has stressed is not affiliated with Gustavus in any way.
“As this is a pending case, we are not in a position to comment on the specific allegations. We would simply note that all individuals are presumed innocent, and we look forward to addressing the matter through the appropriate legal process,” Banks’ attorney Brian VanMeveren stated.
Banks’ next hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2026.