Last Man Convicted in Attempted Armored Car Robbery

HOUSTON—Terrance Saffore, 25, has entered a plea of guilty to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.

Also charged in the crime are Malcolm Jamal Austin, 25; James Patrick Campbell, 26; and William Terrell Archer, 21, all of Houston. All previously entered guilty pleas and are pending sentencing.

On June 22, 2011, Austin attempted to rob a Loomis armored car service guard as the guard left a Bank of America at 12188 Gulf Freeway in Houston. He demanded money from the guard and reached for a gun. The guard then discharged his weapon and shot Austin three times. Austin also fired but did not strike the guard.

Prior to the attempted robbery, Saffore drove Archer and Austin to the bank in a white Grand Prix that was owned by Campbell. Archer had gone inside. Once shots were fired, Archer ran back to the nearby apartment of Campbell.

After the failed robbery attempt and shooting, Austin ran to the vehicle and Saffore fled the scene with Austin.

All will be sentenced in October 2013.

Saffore and the others all face up to 20 years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Austin also faces an additional minimum of 10 years for discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, which must be served consecutively to any other sentence imposed.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Bank Robbery Task Force and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennie Basile.