Burleson Man Admits Committing Armed Robbery of Bank of America in Crowley

FORT WORTH, TX—Brett Joseph Barnes, 27, of Burleson, Texas, appeared in federal court on Friday and pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery, admitting he robbed the Bank of America on South Crowley Road in Crowley, Texas, in September 2009, announced U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas. Barnes faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for June 7, 2013, before Judge McBryde.

According to documents filed in the case, on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, an individual, later identified as Barnes, entered the Bank of America, located at 908 South Crowley Road, and holding what appeared to be a semi-automatic pistol, told everyone to get down and give him all the money. Barnes jumped the teller counter, approached several tellers, and pointed the pistol at them, demanding and receiving money. After receiving the money, Barnes jumped back over the counter and ran from the bank.

When law enforcement searched the area, they discovered clothing items, including a bandana and sunglasses, near a residence in the direction in which Barnes fled. These items, which were identical to what the robber wore, were analyzed by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office and the DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). In January 2012, Barnes was located in the Dallas County Jail; his DNA and the DNA profile from the sunglasses and bandana matched.

The investigation was conducted by the Crowley and Burleson Police Departments and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Bradford is in charge of the prosecution.