Two Convicted of Bank Robbery

HOUSTON—Terrance Trent Batiste, 21, and Joshua Demond Clay, 28, both of Houston, have entered guilty pleas in relation to the November 2012 robbery of Amegy Bank in Houston, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. A third defendant—Kendrick Deswhan Castille, 19, also of Houston—previously also entered a guilty plea in the case.

On November 7, 2012, at approximately 12:00 p.m., the Amegy Bank on 1502 Eldridge Parkway in Houston was robbed. Batiste, Castille, and Clay were apprehended by Houston Police Department (HPD) officers a short distance from the bank following a pursuit.

The investigation revealed that Castille and Batiste entered the bank wearing baseball hats. Batiste was armed with a dark colored revolver that was given to him by Castille before they entered the bank. Castille and Batiste both jumped over the teller counter and demanded money from the victim teller. Clay did not enter the bank, but all three got back into their vehicle and fled after the robbery. After a pursuit by HPD, the vehicle carrying the defendants stopped into the Forest Park Cemetery, located at 12800 Westheimer in Houston, where it ran over and destroyed several tombstones. Clothing and hats worn by Batiste and Castille were recovered from the vehicle, along with a large amount of U.S. currency.

All pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, for which each faces up to five years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 fine. Batiste and Castille were also convicted of aiding and abetting aggravated bank robbery for which they face up to 25 years in prison and another maximum $250,000 fine. Both also admitted to aiding and abetting the brandishing of a firearm during a crime of violence for which both will also face a minimum of seven years in prison which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt, who accepted all the guilty pleas, has set Castille’s sentencing for December 16, 2013, while Clay and Batiste will be sentenced December 2, 2013, and November 25, 2013, respectively.

All are in custody where they will remain pending their sentencing hearings.

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