Bank Robber Sentenced

NEW BERN—United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court today, Chief United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced DAVID JENKINS, 43, of Latta, South Carolina, to 246 months’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release.

A federal grand jury returned a criminal indictment on September 2, 2009. On November 3, 2009, JENKINS pled guilty to aiding and abetting armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting the use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

On July 2, 2009, JENKINS and co-defendant Curtis Leon McCutchen, both 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, both 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.

This case was part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative 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.