Armed Bank Robbers Sentenced

RALEIGH—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court yesterday United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, sentenced two men for armed bank robbery and related firearms charges. KALI ELOI ROBINSON, 25, received 162 months’ imprisonment followed by five years' supervised release. CHRISTOPHER BERNARD JACKSON, 23, received 102 months’ imprisonment followed by five years' supervised release. Each man, at the time of the robberies was active duty military living in Fayetteville. Each was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $325.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on February 4, 2009. On May 18, 2009, both defendants pled guilty. ROBINSON pled to two counts of armed bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. JACKSON pled guilty to one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

On December 22, 2008, Centura Bank, on South McPherson Church Road, in Fayetteville, was robbed by a masked gunman. That gunman was determined to be ROBINSON. ROBINSON got away with $3,610.

On January 6, 2009, Centura Bank, on Village Drive in Fayetteville, was robbed by two masked gunmen. The investigation determined that the robbers were ROBINSON and JACKSON. They got away with $3,290. Two dye packs were also put in with the money. As ROBINSON jumped into the getaway car, the dye packs exploded.

Mr. Holding commented, “Masked gunmen entering a local bank is the definition of a nightmare. We are simply fortunate that none of the innocent victims were hurt. We appreciate the sentences the Court imposed.”

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fayetteville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys J. Gaston B. Williams and William Gilmore represented the government.