Hogsett Announces Federal Bank Robbery Charges

SCOTTSBURG - Joseph H. Hogsett, United States Attorney, announced today that Jason Lee Robinson, 34, of Pikeville, Kentucky, was charged by Information with one count of bank robbery following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Scottsburg, Indiana, Police Department.

“Protecting Hoosier communities is one of the top priorities of my office,” said Hogsett. “Violence will not be tolerated and those who chose to commit criminal acts will be held accountable.”

The Information alleges that on June 20, 2013, Robinson robbed the Westview branch of the Scott County State Bank located at North Michael Drive in Scottsburg, Indiana. Court documents further allege that Robinson entered the bank branch and handed the teller a note that said, “this is a robbery, give me the money in the top drawer, no die (sic) pack, no talking.” The teller handed Robinson the money and he left the bank with over $1,300.

The government further alleges that law enforcement agents viewed video surveillance from near-by businesses and observed a man matching Robinson’s description get into a Honda Minivan and drive away. An anonymous caller advised the Scottsburg Police that the individual in the video may be Robinson and the vehicle he was in belonged to his grandparents in Pikeville, KY.

On July 5, 2013, Robinson was stopped by law enforcement officials near Phoenix, Arizona while driving the Honda Minivan. Officials there detained Robinson and he was brought back to Indiana to face federal charges.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd S. Shellenbarger, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Robinson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. An initial hearing will be scheduled in New Albany, Indiana, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.