Sellersburg Man Indicted for Bank Robbery

Timothy M. Morrison, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, announced that JUSTIN K. SHAW, 30, Sellersburg, Indiana, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Indianapolis for one count of armed bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jeffersonville Police Department, and Louisville Metropolitan Police Department.

In the early afternoon of April 10, 2009, SHAW allegedly entered a branch of Your Community Bank located on East Highway 62, Jeffersonville, Clark County, Indiana, displayed a handgun and robbed the federally insured bank of approximately $7,778.00. Along with the money, SHAW received a dye pack, which detonated when he left the bank. Responding police officers were unable to locate the robber immediately.

Later that day, SHAW attempted a purchase at a Starbucks in Louisville with a red dyestained $50.00 bill. Employees of the store notified police officers, who soon thereafter initiated a stop of the vehicle in which SHAW had left the Starbucks store. The driver had an outstanding warrant and was arrested. SHAW, the passenger, was removed from the car and a subsequent search revealed a handgun located directly underneath where he had been seated. Dye-strained currency was found in the possession of the driver, identified as SHAW’s girlfriend. SHAW was then arrested by Louisville Metro Police authorities for possession of the handgun without a permit. Aware of the search for the perpetrator of this robbery, and recognizing that SHAW fit the description of the robber, Louisville authorities notified the Jeffersonville Police Department (JPD) of SHAW’s apprehension.

According to Assistant U. S. Attorney James M. Warden, who is prosecuting the case for the government, SHAW faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 25 years and a maximum possible fine of $250,000 for the armed bank robbery and not less than 7 years consecutive to the bank robbery for the count of brandishing a firearm. An initial hearing will be scheduled for before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in New Albany, Indiana.

The indictment is an allegation only, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial or by guilty plea.