Six-Count Indictment Returned Against Chastain Montgomery, Sr.

MEMPHIS, TN—Chastain Montgomery, Sr., 47, of Lavergne, Tennessee, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges related to the murder of Postal Service employees Paula Robinson and Judy Spray and the robbery of the United States Post Office located in Henning, Tennessee, announced United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee Edward L. Stanton, III.

According to the indictment, on October 18, 2010, Chastain Montgomery, Sr. and Chastain Montgomery, Jr., now deceased, entered the United States Post Office located in Henning, Tennessee, armed with firearms, intending to commit a robbery. After completing the robbery, Chastain Montgomery, Sr. and Chastain Montgomery, Jr. shot and killed Paula Robinson and Judy Spray.

Chastain Montgomery, Sr. has been indicted on the following counts:

Count One: Unlawfully killing an employee of the United States, specifically Paula Robinson, a violation of 18 U.S.C.§1141(1), which carries a penalty of death or life in prison;

Count Two: Unlawfully killing an employee of the United States, specifically Judy Spray, a violation of 18 U.S.C.§1141(1), which carries a penalty of death or life in prison;

Count Three: Robbery with a dangerous weapon, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2114(a) and 2, which carries a penalty of not more than 25 years in prison;

Count Four: Using a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924c, which carries a penalty of not less than 10 years and not more than life in prison;

Count Five: Unlawfully causing the death of a person, specifically Paula Robinson, through the use of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1), which carries a penalty of death or life in prison; and

Count Six: Unlawfully causing the death of a person, specifically Judy Spray, through the use of a firearm, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)(1), which carries a penalty of death or life in prison.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspector’s Service, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the District Attorney General’s Office 25th Judicial District, who were assisted by the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, Henning Police Department, Mason Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms & Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, and the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Vivan R. Donelson and Tony R. Arvin will prosecute the case for the United States.