Federal Grand Jury Indicts David William Chilton for Armed Bank Robbery, Carjacking, and Violation of the Armed Career Criminal Act

PORTLAND, OR—On June 19, 2012, a federal grand jury returned a five-count indictment charging David William Chilton, 54, of Portland, with armed bank robbery, carjacking, and associated firearms offenses, including violation of the Armed Career Criminal Act. Chilton is currently in U.S. Marshals custody on a federal supervised release violation arising from a 2008 conviction for armed bank robbery. He will be arraigned today on the new indictment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Janice M. Stewart at 1:30 p.m. in the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse.

Count one of the indictment charges Chilton with the June 11, 2012 robbery of Key Bank of Oregon at Gateway Branch, 1205 NE 102nd Avenue in Portland. The charge alleges he used a handgun and took $9,406 in U.S. currency and $690 in Canadian funds. Armed bank robbery carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Count one charges Chilton with using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during the bank robbery. This charge carries a minimum, consecutive sentence of seven years up to life in prison.

Count three charges Chilton with taking a 1997 Toyota 4-Runner from its driver by force, violence, and intimidation in Portland on June 11, 2012, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm. Carjacking carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Count four charges Chilton with using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during the carjacking. Because this alleged crime followed the use of the firearm in the bank robbery, the potential sentence for count four is a minimum, consecutive term of 25 years up to life in prison.

Count five charges Chilton with felon in possession of a firearm, namely, a .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver, in Portland on both June 11 and 12, 2012. Because the indictment alleges prior federal convictions of armed bank robbery (2008), distribution of heroin (1990), and bank robbery (1978), and a prior state conviction in Multnomah County for first-degree robbery (1985), conviction of count five would subject Chilton to a mandatory, consecutive sentence of at least 15 years and up to life in prison.

Chilton was arrested in the evening of June 12, 2012, by the Portland Police Bureau inside the Fred Meyer store at North Interstate and Lombard Avenue.

An indictment is only an allegation and not evidence of guilt. Chilton is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The case is being investigation by the Portland Police Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Portland State University Campus Security Office, and the Forest Grove Police Department. The federal prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Stephen F. Peifer.