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Press Release

Jackson County Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Two Bank Robberies

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced a Jackson County man in connection with two bank robberies, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

U.S. District Judge Anna M. Manasco sentenced John Lance Cameron, 58, of Dutton, Alabama, to 188 months in prison.  Cameron pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery in March.

“We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of the Hoover, Trussville, and Birmingham Police Departments and the FBI in tracking down this defendant and securing the evidence against him,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “Focusing on the most violent repeat offenders, we will continue to work with law enforcement partners to make our communities and individuals who are impacted by violent crimes safer.”

“The FBI and our partners are committed to making our communities safer by bringing these violent offenders like Cameron to justice. Thanks to the work of dedicated law enforcement officers, Cameron is now in custody and facing the consequences of his crimes” said FBI SAC Johnnie Sharp, Jr.

On November 25, 2020, Cameron entered the Pinnacle Bank located on Gadsden Highway in Trussville and demanded money from a teller.  Cameron told the teller he had a firearm and threatened to shoot her.  Cameron appeared to get spooked and left the bank with no money.

About two hours later, Cameron entered the BBVA Compass Bank located on Montgomery Highway, in Hoover. Cameron approached a teller, pulled a plastic bag from his shirt and handed it to the teller. Cameron told the teller, “I want your money.” Cameron lifted his shirt and showed the teller a dark colored firearm with a wooden handle in his waistband, and said, “Don’t die over a few dollars.” The teller gave Cameron $19,100 in U.S. currency.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. 

FBI investigated the case along with the Birmingham Police Department, Hoover Police Department, and Trussville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Peoples prosecuted the case.

 

Updated August 2, 2022