Houston Man and Bank Insider Convicted of Conspiracy and Bank Robbery

HOUSTON—Erik Roshan Roy, 38, and Tuaca Elaine Deason, 25, both of Houston, have been convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery and bank robbery, United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today.

At a hearing before United States District Judge Ewing Werlein this afternoon, Roy, 38, and Deason, 25, a former bank teller of Wachovia Bank, admitted to planning and executing the robbery of the Wachovia Bank branch located at 5211 Wesleyan on July 17, 2009, taking approximately $280,000 by force and agreeing to share the proceeds. Each now faces a maximum of 25 years' imprisonment for the robbery conviction and five years' imprisonment on the conspiracy conviction. Judge Werlein has set sentencing for May 14, 2010.

Deason used her position at the Wachovia Bank branch to provide Roy access to the bank before business hours. Roy secured the use of a firearm, or what seemed to be a firearm, to be brandished and used to intimidate the bank employees and take money from the bank.

On July 17, 2009, Deason reported to her regular work shift at Wachovia Bank. Later that morning, Roy called Deason’s mobile telephone to verify she was inside of the bank. Acting according to plan, Deason exited the bank claiming the need to retrieve keys from her car, but actually exited to allow Roy to enter the bank before it was open for business. As Deason walked back into the bank, Roy followed her and brandished what seem to be a firearm shouting “DON’T NOBODY MOVE, NOBODY GETS HURT, LET’S GO.” In the bank’s lobby, Roy physically restrained another bank employee by the neck and pointed the “firearm” at her head and shouted “IF YOU LOOK AT MY FACE, I WILL SHOOT YOU.” The restained bank employee did as directed. Roy then directed both Deason and the restrained employee to the bank’s vault located at the rear of the bank. In the vault room, Roy instructed Deason to remove money from the vault and place it into a bag which Roy produced. Roy then directed Deason and the bank employee to crawl out of the vault room and to lie on the floor outside the room. While Deason and the employee were lying on the floor, Roy stated, “ALL I NEED IS 15 MINUTES, IF YOU LOOK UP, I WILL KILL YOU.” Roy left the bank carrying $280,005. On Aug. 9, 2009, Roy gave Deason her share of the proceeds from the bank robbery.

The FBI and the Houston Police Department Bank Robbery Task Force initiated an investigation in July 2009 following bank robbery which ultimately lead to the identification of Roy as the robber, Deason’s insider role in the robbery and the charges and the arrest of Roy and Deason Aug. 26, 2009. Roy has been in custody without bond since his arrest and will remain on bond pending sentencing. Deason remains on bond.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Justo A. Mendez is prosecuting the case.