Henderson Bank Robbers Plead Guilty

RALEIGH—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today two defendants pled guilty to charges relating to the armed robbery of the Carter Bank and Trust in Henderson, North Carolina. AHMAD DEHAVEN BURWELL, 21, and CHRISTOPHER EDWARD INGRAM, 22, both of Henderson, North Carolina, each pled guilty before Senior United States District Judge W. Earl Britt to one count of conspiring to commit bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; one count of armed bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and (d); and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).

A federal grand jury returned a Criminal Indictment on March 3, 2010. On September 10, 2009, after stealing a vehicle, three men robbed the Carter’s Bank and Trust on Dabney Drive in Henderson, North Carolina.

The third defendant, Amils Barnard Drew, 23, also of Henderson, North Carolina, pled guilty on May 10, 2010, to armed bank robbery and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

At sentencing, set for September 13, 2010, each defendant faces up to 25 years’ imprisonment followed by up to five years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for the armed bank robbery charge. For the firearm possession charge, each defendant faces up to a life-term of imprisonment followed by up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.00. Additionally, for the conspiracy charge, BURWELL and INGRAM each face up to five years’ imprisonment followed by up to three years’ supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.00.

Pursuant to Drew’s Plea Agreement, he agrees to make restitution to any victim, to include Carter’s Bank and Trust, in whatever amount ordered by the Court. Drew’s sentencing is set for August 2, 2010.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Henderson Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Seth Wood represented the government.