Two Armed Bank Robbers Plead Guilty to Federal Charges

GREENVILLE—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today two defendants pled guilty before United States Magistrate Judge David W. Daniel. DAVID JENKINS, 43, and CURTIS LEON McCUTCHEN, 27, both from South Carolina, pled guilty to armed bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113(a) and (d), and use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c).

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on September 2, 2009.

On July 2, 2009, MCCUTCHEN and JENKINS, wearing masks, entered the Suntrust Bank located on New Hope Road in Raleigh, North Carolina. MCCUTCHEN pointed a handgun at the employees and customers, while JENKINS jumped over the counter and took $7,400. After taking the money, the defendants fled the bank, entering a car driven by co-defendant Bryan Jamar Singletary. The Raleigh Police Department was alerted and arrived shortly thereafter. While canvassing the area, an officer observed the robbers’ car. The officer attempted to stop the car. However, the defendants fled and a chase ensued down Capitol Blvd. During the pursuit, JENKINS fired multiple shots at the officer’s car, striking it several times. In an attempt to slow the officer down, the defendants’ vehicle struck several cars. After a five-mile chase and being blocked in by law enforcement vehicles, the defendants abandoned their car at the intersection of Capitol Blvd and I-440, fleeing on foot. Officers captured JENKINS and MCCUTCHEN. Singletary was captured two hours later near where the car had been abandoned.

During their search of the car, officers located a Glock .40 caliber handgun, currency and the clothing worn during the robbery. All of the stolen money was recovered. Further investigation revealed that both JENKINS and MCCUTCHEN were convicted felons at the time of the robbery.

The maximum penalty for armed bank robbery is up to 25 years imprisonment followed by up to five years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. For use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, the maximum penalty is up to a life term of imprisonment consecutive to any other term of imprisonment imposed followed by up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods(PSN) which encourages federal, state, and local agencies to cooperate in a unified “team effort” against gun crime, targeting repeat offenders who continually plague their communities.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Raleigh Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Ethan Ontjes represented the government.