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U.S. Attorney Announces Federal Sentences for Pair Responsible for Robbery of Highlands, North Carolina Bank

U.S. Attorney’s Office June 17, 2010
  • Western District of North Carolina (704) 344-6222

BRYSON CITY, NC—United States Attorney Anne M. Tompkins for the Western District of North Carolina today announced that Billy Edward Vitatoe, 41, of Franklin, North Carolina, and Kari Husky Conard, 33, of Franklin, North Carolina, were both sentenced to terms of imprisonment on June 16, 2010 in U.S. District Court in Bryson City, NC. Vitatoe and Conard entered pleas of guilty in January 2010 in connection with charges against them in a federal bill of indictment for bank robbery and federal firearms violations.

Billy Vitatoe was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison to be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, and Kari Conard received 63 months in federal prison to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Vitatoe entered a plea of guilty to one count of armed robbery of the RBC Bank of Highlands on August 13, 2009 and to one count of use and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Conard entered a plea of guilty to one count of armed robbery of the RBC Bank of Highlands on August 13, 2009.

Joining U.S. Attorney Tompkins in making today’s announcement are Owen D. Harris, Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI and Zebedee Graham, Special Agent in Charge of ATF for North and South Carolina, Chief Bill Harrell, Highlands Police Department, and Macon County Sheriff Robert L. Holland. According to official documents filed with the court, on August 13, 2009 Billy Edward Vitatoe walked into the RBC Bank located at 225 Franklin Road, Highlands, NC armed with a sawed-off shotgun, while Kari Husky Conard waited outside in the getaway vehicle. Wearing a mask to cover his face, Vitatoe fired one round into the ceiling of the bank and reloaded the firearm. He then robbed the bank of approximately $4,500 and fled in the vehicle driven by Conard.

Both Vitatoe and Conard have been in federal custody since their arrest and will be given credit for time served. A federal facility has not yet been designated at which the terms of imprisonment will be served.

BILLY EDWARD VITATOE
41 YOA
Franklin, NC

KARI HUSKY CONARD
33 YOA
Franklin, NC

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