Armored Car Robber Found Guilty

Kevin Christopher Watson, 41, formerly of Detroit, was found guilty today following a jury trial in federal court, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. Watson was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery murder, and first-degree murder with a firearm during a federal crime of violence.

U.S. Attorney McQuade was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit, Michigan office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The jury deliberated for three days before returning the verdict, concluding a trial that began on November 7, 2011, before United States District Judge Victoria A. Roberts.

The evidence presented at trial established that, on December 14, 2001, Kevin Watson and five cohorts robbed armored car guards attempting to deliver money to ATMs at the Dearborn Federal Credit Union outside Fairlane Mall in Dearborn, Michigan of $204,000. During the robbery, Kevin Watson and Timothy O’Reilly (who was found guilty by another jury in 2010) shot Total Armored guard Norman Anthony Stephens in the back with shotguns. Mr. Stephens died at the scene. The crime went unsolved for several years until cooperating witnesses came forward with information.

A sentencing date for Kevin Watson has not yet been set by the court. Watson faces a mandatory life sentence by virtue of his convictions today.

“For the victim’s family, this verdict cannot remedy the loss of a husband and father,” McQuade added, “but we hope that this federal prosecution and the mandatory life sentence that goes with it will deter others from committing such brutal crimes in the future.”

McQuade commended the excellent work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its lengthy, complex and thorough investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Watson. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth R. Chadwell and Margaret M. Smith.