Reno Man Sentenced For Bank Robbery With A Dangerous Weapon Resulting In Death

RENO, Nev. - A Reno man who was found guilty by a jury for a 2013 bank robbery in south Reno and for killing a customer was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du to life in prison on both counts and ordered that the counts run consecutive, announced U.S. Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.

“The defendant was callous and killed an innocent man who was trying to prevent the bank robbery,” said U.S. Attorney Bogden. “Using a firearm to rob a bank is a serious offense and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure violent criminals are brought to justice.”

Van McDuffy, aka Van McDuffie, 69, was indicted on Oct. 20, 2013. He was found guilty on Aug. 17, 2016, of bank robbery with a dangerous weapon resulting in death and use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence causing death.

On Oct. 16, 2013, McDuffy entered a Bank of America and approached a teller demanding money while showing the teller a gun. A customer at the teller being robbed told McDuffy to “get out of here.” McDuffy turned and shot the customer who died at the scene. McDuffy took the money from the first teller and then moved to a second teller. He pointed the gun at the second teller while demanding money before fleeing the bank. An off-duty Reno Police Department officer was in the bank at the time of the robbery and followed McDuffy out of the bank. The off-duty officer was able to apprehend McDuffy across the street from the bank at a bus stop.

The case was a joint investigation by the FBI and the Reno Police Department; and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Rachow.

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