KANSAS CITY, Kansas — He’s trading one ball and chain for another.

A 70-year-old Kansas man who told authorities he robbed a bank last year because he’d rather live behind bars than with his wife has pleaded guilty and could face up to 20 years in prison.

Lawrence John Ripple walked into the Bank of Labor across from police headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas last September with a note stating, “I have a gun, give me money.”

But after the teller handed him $2,924 from the drawer, he went and sat down on a chair in the bank lobby. When a bank security guard approached Ripple, he said he was the guy they were looking for and handed back the cash, according to court documents.

While being interviewed by investigators, Ripple said he had gotten into a fight with his wife at home “and he no longer wanted to be in that situation.” He said he wrote the demand note in front of his wife and told he he’d rather be in jail than continue living with her.

He then walked over to the bank to commit the robbery.

Ripple pleaded guilty without making any agreement with prosecutors for how much time he will serve. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

That means it will be up to the judge to decide what Ripple’s fate will be when he is sentenced at a later date.