United States Attorney Leura G. Canary Middle District of Alabama

BANK ROBBER RECEIVES 35 YEAR SENTENCE

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA— Marcus Rashawn Smith, age 31, of York, Alabama, was sentenced on March 21, 2008, to more than 35 years in federal prison, by U.S. District Judge W. Keith Watkins, for the armed robberies of the Banc Corp South Bank in Hayneville, Alabama, on November 17, 2005, and January 6, 2006, U.S. Attorney Leura Canary announced today.

The investigation of this case began when agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives received information that Smith was under arrest in the Lowndes County Jail for the bank robberies. Smith confessed to entering the bank, on each occasion, armed with a handgun and dressed up as an older man, threatening the tellers and demanding cash. In total, Smith stole approximately $9000 of bank money before being caught.

Smith was charged with both bank robberies, violations of Title 18, United States Codes, Section 2113(a) and (d); 2 counts of knowingly and willfully using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1); and 2 violations of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), a federal offense which makes it illegal for convicted felons to possess firearms.

Smith plead guilty to each offense and received a sentence of 430 months incarceration, 3 years supervised release, a $600 special assessment fee, and was ordered to pay restitution to Banc Corp South of Lowndes County.

This case was investigated by the Hayneville Police Department, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Redmond.