Bank Robbers Plead Guilty

RALEIGH, NC—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today that two defendants involved in an attempted bank robbery pled guilty before United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle. MATTHEW GLENN MANTZ, 22, of Orrum, North Carolina, and KARON RORIE, 25, also of Orrum, North Carolina, pled guilty to bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113, and using and carrying a firearm during a federal crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). Additionally, RORIE pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of crack cocaine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1).

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on February 4, 2009. On the morning of January 14, 2009, the Carter’s Bank and Trust located in Lumberton, North Carolina, was robbed. The robbers, RORIE and MANTZ, entered the bank; RORIE, armed with a Glock .357 caliber handgun and MANTZ, armed with a knife. MANTZ vaulted the teller counter demanding money from the tellers, while RORIE walked behind the counter, also demanding money. A total of $5,349.00 was removed from the teller drawers. Witnesses, seeing two suspicious persons leave the bank and enter a vehicle, called 911. Responding law enforcement found the vehicle abandoned. A short time later, a suspicious vehicle was observed in the area, with two passengers, fitting the description of MANTZ and RORIE. After a short vehicle pursuit, both were arrested. During a search, officers found the firearm, a long-bladed hunting knife and clothing matching the description of that being worn by the robbers at the time of the robbery.

In an unrelated incident, in June, 2008, Lumberton Police Officers responded to a call regarding a shooting at a Subway restaurant in Lumberton, North Carolina. When officers arrived, they found that the victim had been speaking with RORIE and another individual and as they walked away RORIE shot the victim. Officers tracked RORIE to a motel room. When officers entered the room, RORIE jumped from the second floor balcony. The gun, a Bryco Arms, Jennings .9mm semi-automatic handgun, used in the shooting was found. RORIE was later apprehended and a search of RORIE revealed crack cocaine. Upon officers retracing RORIE’s path, several other bags of crack cocaine were found totaling approximately 72.6 grams.

For bank robbery, each defendant faces up to 20 years imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. For the use and carry of a firearm during a crime of violence, the maximum penalty is up to lifetime term of imprisonment, consecutive to any term of imprisonment imposed on Count One, followed by up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Additionally, RORIE faces up to a lifetime term of imprisonment followed by five years supervised release and a fine of up to $4,000,000.00 for the drug charge.

Mr. Holding commented, “Armed bank robbery is an egregious act that affects not only the financial institution but the employees and customers. Therefore, we prosecute these illegal acts vigorously to protect the public.”

Sentencing is set for August 3, 2009.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Robeson County Sheriff’s Department; and the Lumberton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jane Jackson served as prosecutor for the government.