Man Indicted for Bank Robbery
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 19, 2011 |
NEW ORLEANS—MICHAEL W. LEWALLEN, age 57, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, was charged in one-count indictment by a federal grand jury with bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.
The charges resulted from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that was initiated following the August 5, 2011, robbery of the Whitney National Bank, 4845 Veterans Memorial Boulevard, Metairie, Louisiana. With the assistance of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, LEWALLEN was located driving a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle utilized by the robber soon after the robbery, a short distance from the bank. Further, LEWALLEN was found in possession of clothing worn during the bank robbery as well as a large amount of United States currency in the same denominations turned over during the bank robbery.
U.S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, LEWALLEN faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, a fine of up to $250,000 and three years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Quinlan, Jr.