Memphis Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Federal Prison

MEMPHISN—Phillip Thompson, 27, of Memphis, was sentenced on July 23, 2012, to 40 years in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Jon P. McCalla, for two counts of bank robbery, one count of use/possession of a firearm in connection to a crime of violence, and two counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced United States Attorney Edward L. Stanton, III; and Aaron T. Ford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Memphis Division.

On December 9, 2009, Thompson entered the Trust One Bank, located at 717 S. White Station, armed with an assault rifle, and demanded money from the tellers. After obtaining the money, Thompson fled the scene in a white Ford Taurus. Approximately 15 minutes later, Thompson entered the Cadence Bank, 591 South Mendenhall, armed with a black handgun, and demanded money from the teller. After obtaining the money, Thompson fled the scene. The vehicle driven by Thompson was spotted by officers from the Memphis Police Department on Poplar Avenue.

Thompson refused to stop and attempted to elude the officers. As the defendant turned north on Evergreen, he fired approximately 12 shots with the assault rifle at a Memphis Police Department officer. Thompson’s vehicle continued north on Evergreen and crashed into a building at Chelsea and Evergreen. Thompson was located and arrested hiding a short distance away from the crash.

The case was investigated by the Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Bartlett Police Department, and Germantown Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lorraine Craig on behalf of the government.