Repeat Violent Offender Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison Defendant Served Prison Time for Prior Armed Bank Robbery and Using a Firearm During a Crime of Violence

EUGENE, OR—Larry James Rich, 43, of Marcola, Oregon, was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Michael R. Hogan for the crime of using a firearm during a crime of violence. Rich was also sentenced to serve an additional four years in prison for violating the conditions of his supervised release in two prior federal cases. Rich pled guilty on July 15, 2009, pursuant to a plea agreement whereby the parties agreed to jointly recommend a 30-year term of imprisonment at the time of sentencing. Following his release from prison Rich will be on supervised release for a period of five years.

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, during which he brandished a firearm and stole $2,310. Rich was arrested in Washington and was returned to Oregon to face federal charges. Rich was ordered to pay a total of $4,641 in restitution for the Wells Fargo robbery and for 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 handled the prosecution of the case.