Bank Robbers Convicted in Houston

Bank Robbers Convicted in Houston

A group of eight men who conducted a series of armed robberies of banks and credit unions located inside Texas grocery stores have been convicted. In one of the robberies, an off-duty Harris County Sheriff's deputy was shot and wounded when he tried to stop it. The group was behind 20 to 30 robberies that occurred from May 2007 through September 2011. The robberies took place in the counties of Harris, Galveston, and Fort Bend. The men involved used guns with which they terrorized and pistol-whipped their victims. They were part of an 11-man group that would first case the bank or credit union before resorting to violent action in robbing them.

The sentences handed down varied from five to almost 44 years in federal prison for the defendants. The case was investigated by the FBI Houston Violent Crime Task Force. According to an FBI press release regarding the robberies, the group was said to be armed with automatic rifles, shotguns, or pistols during the heists.

A conviction for the federal charge of conspiracy to commit bank robbery alone is punishable by a maximum term of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. In Texas, state law punishes armed robbery with five to 99 years in prison with fines of $10,000.

Criminal Defense Firm in Fort Bend County, Texas

Whenever a deadly weapon is used in the commission of a crime, it becomes more serious and carries more severe punishment. It is essential in such cases for the defendant to have skilled and aggressive legal counsel in order to achieve the most favorable results.

For those who have been charged with a crime in and around Fort Bend County, the criminal defense team at Stornello & Correro Law Firm, PLLC offers skilled legal representation. This team of defense lawyers has more than 25 years of experience in criminal law. The team includes a former prosecutor who can use his previous experience to predict and handle how the prosecution will develop its case against you. The firm has earned a 10 out of 10 "Superb" rating by Avvo and was named a Clients' Choice in Criminal Defense by Avvo in 2012. The firm offers a free case consultation to help you understand the charges you face and what can be done in your defense. Contact their law offices to get the legal help you need after any criminal arrest.