Bank Robbers Receive Federal Sentence

GREENVILLE—United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that in federal court today Senior United States District Judge Malcolm J. Howard sentenced two Fayetteville bank robbers. Larry Rodgers, Jr., 30, received 209 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years’ supervised release. His co-defendant, Rodney Antawan Brown, also 30, was sentenced to 384 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years’ supervised released. The court imposed restitution of $20,789.43 for both defendants, jointly and severally.

A federal grand jury returned a criminal indictment on July 27, 2011. On January 19, 2012, a jury found each man guilty of conspiring to commit bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371; armed bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and (d); and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).

According to the indictment, on November 1, 2010, following their discussion of the bank robbery, Rodgers and Brown traveled to the First Citizens Bank on Ramsey Street in Fayetteville. Evidence presented at trial showed that Rodgers, carrying a duffel bag, and Brown, holding a black semi-automatic handgun, both approached the teller counter. Brown vaulted the teller counter, threatened to shoot the tellers, and started pulling money from the teller drawers. Both bait bills and dye packs were placed in the duffel bag. Both robbers left the bank and got into the getaway car, with Brown driving. Rodgers was in the passenger seat with the duffel bag containing $20,700 on his lap. As they left the scene, a dye pack went off, staining Rodgers’ jeans. Shortly after the robbery, law enforcement located the getaway car and attempted a stop of the vehicle. Following an automobile and foot chase, Rodgers was located hiding in a trash can. Brown was located and arrested seven days later in South Carolina after leading officers on a high-speed chase.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fayetteville Police Department. Thank you to the Fort Bragg Military Police for  assistance during the search of the defendants. Assistant United States Attorney Felice McConnell Corpening prosecuted the case.