Birmingham Man Convicted for Armed Bank Robbery of BB&T Bank
| U.S. Attorney’s Office July 08, 2011 |
BIRMINGHAM—A federal jury today convicted a Birmingham man for the June 2010 armed robbery of a Pleasant Grove bank, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Patrick Maley.
Following a four-day trial, the jury deliberated about two hours before convicting ORLANDA BARNES, 33, of robbing the BB&T bank. The jury found Barnes guilty of armed bank robbery, using and carrying a firearm during the armed bank robbery, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
“Barnes was a dangerous man. Despite his convictions for attempted murder, he again took up a loaded gun and threatened the lives of bank employees and customers to rob a bank,” Vance said. “Thanks to the cooperative work of federal and local law enforcement, Barnes is off the streets and will be headed back to prison,” Vance said.
According to trial testimony, Barnes and another man entered the Pleasant Grove bank branch on June 2, 2010, wearing fake beards and each brandishing a gun. They stole more than $15,000 and fled in a silver Buick. Pleasant Grove police chased the car, which soon collided with another vehicle and struck a house.
The robbers ran, but police caught and arrested Barnes. He had black silicone adhesive and fake hair on his chin and neck, according to testimony. Police searched the getaway car and recovered a pillowcase containing $15,524 and two fully-loaded firearms: an RG Industries .38 caliber revolver and a Colt .22 caliber pistol.
Law enforcement is still searching for the second suspect.
At the time of the robbery, Barnes already had two convictions for attempted murder.
Pleasant Grove and Birmingham police, the FBI, Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph P. Montminy and Ryan K. Buchanan prosecuted the case.