Guilty Verdict Reached in Bank Robbery Trial

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced the conviction today of Walter Butler, Jr., aged 45, of Gainesville, Georgia, of bank robbery. Orlando Brock, aged 43, of Hartwell, Georgia, was found guilty of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. The guilty verdicts were handed down following a four-day trial before the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, Chief United States District Court Judge, in Athens, Georgia.

Evidence presented at trial showed that on Thursday, September 22, 2011, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Allen Colbert, a/k/a “Juicy,” and Juan Vladimir Camp entered the North Georgia Credit Union in Lavonia, Georgia. Both men carried firearms; one of them brandished a firearm. Both men wore gloves and covers over their heads. The pair forced the tellers to hand over approximately $310,000 and then sprayed them with pepper spray. After stealing the money, both Mr. Butler and Mr. Colbert left the scene in a truck driven by Mr. Butler. Orlando Brock planned the robbery, supplied the firearms, and dropped Mr. Colbert and Mr. Camp off at the bank that day.

Mr. Colbert and Mr. Camp entered guilty pleas to their part in the robbery on March 20, 2013. The court has set their sentencing hearing for May 27, 2014, in Athens, Georgia.

Mr. Butler faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both. Mr. Brock, Mr. Colbert and Mr. Camp face a maximum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both. Mr. Brock faces an additional minimum mandatory sentence of seven years up to a maximum sentence of life, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both on the firearm charges. The court will set a sentencing date for Mr. Butler and Mr. Brock following the completion of a pre-sentence investigation and report.

“This case is a fine example of a cooperative investigation by the federal, state, and local authorities. These defendants face lengthy terms of imprisonment without parole as the result of their violent criminal activity,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

“The GBI is committed to working with our local and federal law enforcement partners to insure those who commit crimes such as this are brought to justice,” said GBI Director Vernon Keenan.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, and Lavonia Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Graham Thorpe and Sonja Profit prosecuted the case for the Government.

Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney’s Office at (478) 621-2603.