Repeat Violent Offender Pleads Guilty Defendant with History of Bank Robbery Convictions Facing Lengthy Federal Sentence

EUGENE, OR—Larry James Rich, 43, of Marcola, Oregon, entered a plea of guilty on July 15, 2009, before U.S. District Judge Michael R. Hogan to the crime of using a firearm during a crime of violence. The mandatory minimum sentence is 25 years in prison, as a result of a previous conviction for the same offense, with a maximum sentence of life in prison. Rich also admitted to violating the conditions of his supervised release in two prior federal cases. Pursuant to the plea agreement, the parties agreed to jointly recommend a 30-year term of imprisonment at the time of sentencing. Sentencing is scheduled for October 6, 2009.

Rich’s criminal history includes 1995 federal convictions for armed bank robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and a 1998 federal conviction for possession of contraband while in federal prison.

The investigation arose from Rich’s September 17, 2008 armed robbery of the Polk Street Wells Fargo Bank in Eugene, when he stole $2,310. Rich was arrested in Washington state and was returned to Oregon to face federal charges. As a condition of his plea agreement, Rich will be required to pay restitution for the Wells Fargo robbery as well as three additional robberies.

The United States Attorney’s Office and the Lane County District Attorney’s Office cooperated extensively in the prosecution of the defendant. The Eugene Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with the valuable assistance of the Eugene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Sweet is handling the prosecution of the case.