October 29, 2015

Carlisle Man Federally Indicted for Bank Robberies and Firearms Violations

HARRISBURG, PA—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jeffrey Turns, age 32, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The indictment charges Turns with bank robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Indictment alleges that Turns robbed two banks in August 2015, one in Mechanicsburg, PA and one in Dillsburg, PA, using a firearm. Turns was apprehended after the second bank robbery through a cooperative effort by the Upper Allen Township, Camp Hill and Lower Allen Township Police Departments, and the Pennsylvania State Police. When taken into custody, Turns was allegedly fleeing in a stolen car with one firearm in his waistband, and nine additional stolen firearms in the back of the car.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Mechanicsburg and Carroll Township Police Departments and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith A. Taylor.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.