Armed Bank Robbery Lands Another in Federal Prison

HOUSTON—A second person charged in the armed robbery of two local banks has been ordered to prison for more than 16 years, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Barry Ogilvie, 37, of Houston, pleaded guilty March 28, 2011, to two counts of aiding and abetting aggravated bank robbery and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.

Today, U.S. District Judge Vanessa Gilmore, who accepted the guilty plea, handed Ogilvie two 78-month sentences for the bank robbery charges to run concurrent. He was further ordered to serve 10 years for the firearm conviction, which must be served consecutively for a total sentence of 198 months. Ogilvie will be required to serve a term of three years of supervised release following completion of the prison term.

On September 9, 2010, Ogilvie and Andrea Steptore, 30, of Houston, both armed with firearms, robbed the Prosperity Bank located on the 2800 block of F.M. 1960 East in Houston. During the robbery, Ogilvie shot two rounds of ammunition into a wall. No one was injured, but behind the wall was a drive-thru teller stand. Zachary Ellis, 48, of Houston, had selected the bank, scouted it prior to the robbery, and shared in the proceeds.

Less than two weeks later, Ogilvie and Steptore attempted to rob the Vista Bank on the 14500 block of Northwest Freeway in Houston. They were both armed with semi-automatic pistols and wore masks. When they approached the bank, an off-duty police officer, who was working security at the bank, saw them and began firing at them. Steptore was able to flee in the getaway vehicle driven by a third individual, but Ogilvie was arrested. Odis Darrell Wheeler, 21, of Houston, stole a car which was used in the robbery and waited around the corner in a switch vehicle. Ellis had again selected the bank, told his co-conspirators he had scouted it prior to the robbery and planned to share in the proceeds.

Wheeler, Steptore, and Ellis have all also pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting aggravated bank robbery. Ellis was sentenced last month to 97 months in federal prison. Wheeler and Steptore are set for sentencing April 15, 2013. At that time, they face up to 25 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Steptore, who also pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, also faces a minimum seven-year term of imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to the other sentences imposed.

The case was investigated by FBI Houston Bank Robbery Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Jennie Basile is prosecuting the case.