Two Men Charged in Federal Court With Crimes Related to September 2008 Gastonia Bank Robbery Attempt
One Defendant Charged with Killing a Person During Attempted Escape

CHARLOTTE, NC—A federal grand jury sitting in Charlotte has indicted Larry Whitfield, 20, and Quanterrious McCoy, 20, both of Charlotte, in connection with the attempted robbery of the Fort Financial Credit Union on New Hope Road in Gastonia, in September 2008. Today’s announcement is made by U.S. Attorney Gretchen Shappert, Chief Bill Farley of the Gaston County Police Department, Chief Tim Adams of the Gastonia, NC Police Department, and Nathan T. Gray, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Operations in North Carolina.

According to the indictment, Defendants Whitfield and McCoy allegedly aided and abetted one another by entering and attempting to enter the Fort Financial Credit Union, 1475 North New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC, on September 26, 2008, with intent to commit robbery. According to the allegations contained in the indictment, the defendants used and carried firearms during their attempt to enter the Credit Union. The indictment also alleges that a Smith & Wesson .357 caliber revolver and a CN Romarm 7.62x39 caliber assault rifle were involved in the bank robbery attempt.

In addition, defendant Larry Whitfield is also charged in the indictment with a crime during his attempted escape following the alleged armed bank robbery attempt, in that he is alleged to have forced a woman to accompany him without her consent, and to have killed her, in avoiding or attempting to avoid apprehension for the alleged offense of attempted bank robbery.

Both defendants were afforded initial appearance hearings today before Federal Magistrate Judge Carl Horn, III. The defendants were ordered to be held in federal custody pending pretrial detention hearings which are currently set for Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 10:10 a.m. The investigation was conducted by officers of the Gaston County Police Department and Gastonia Police Department with assistance provided by agents of the FBI. The federal prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Morris of the Charlotte Office of the U.S. Attorney.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. In the American justice system, a person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty at trial or by guilty plea. If convicted, Defendant Whitfield faces maximum statutory penalties of up to 20 years and/or a $250,000 fine as to Count One; up to 20 years and/or a $250,000 fine as to Count Two; not less than five years, consecutive, as to Count Three; and no less than ten years up to life imprisonment as to Count Four. If convicted, Defendant McCoy faces maximum statutory penalties of up to 20 years and/or a $250,000 fine as to Count One; up to 20 years and/or a $250,000 fine as to Count Two; and not less than five years, consecutive, as to Count Three.