Two Indicted for Robbing Bank in Oriental, North Carolina

GREENVILLE, NC—United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced that on January 15, 2014, a federal grand jury in Greenville, North Carolina, returned a two-count indictment charging David McArthur King, 24 of New Bern, and Thomas Lee Cuthbertson, Jr., 24, also of New Bern, with armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a) and (d) and 2, and the use or carrying of a firearm, by brandishing, during and in relation to a crime of violence, or possession in furtherance thereof, and aiding and abetting in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A) and 2.

The evidence shows that on December 2, 2013 King and Cutherbertson robbed the First Citizens Bank in Oriental, North Carolina, of approximately $33,707.90. During the course of the robbery, the defendants did assault various persons and put into jeopardy their lives by means and use of a handgun.

If convicted, King and Cutherbertson face a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release for a conviction of the bank robbery charge and life imprisonment, with a mandatory sentence of seven years consecutive to any other sentence served, a $250,000 fine, and five years of supervised release for the use or carrying of a firearm, by brandishing, during and in relation to a crime of violence charge. The actual sentence would be determined by the sentencing court after consideration of the advisory sentencing guidelines.

Investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New Bern Police Department, and the Pamlico County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney John Bennett is prosecuting the case for the government.

The charges contained in this indictment are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.