Federal Judge Sentences Birmingham Bank Robber to Nearly 12 Years in Prison
| U.S. Attorney’s Office September 06, 2012 |
BIRMINGHAM—Chief U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn today sentenced a Birmingham man to 11 years and nine months in prison for a 2011 armed bank robbery in eastern Birmingham, U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert E. Haley, III announced.
The judge sentenced Donald James Binns, 26, to 141 months in prison for the November 9, 2011 armed robbery of the Compass Bank at 9208 Parkway East and for weapons charges associated with the robbery. Binns pleaded guilty in May to the armed bank robbery and to using a firearm during the robbery and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, Binns robbed the bank of about $4,414 after brandishing a gun at the teller window and demanding money. He fled in a Cadillac Deville, which Birmingham police pursued and shortly thereafter arrested Binns. Police recovered the stolen money and a Bryco .380 caliber pistol from the car.
The FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Birmingham Police Department investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Montminy prosecuted.