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AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885  

October 18, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/md                                       

TWO INDICTED FOR ARMED BANK ROBBERY

In Four Month Spree Allegedly Robbed Nine Banks of Over $91,000

BALTIMORE, Maryland - A federal grand jury today indicted James Abu Bangura, age 24, and Dartanion Antwon Wallace, age 25, both of Baltimore, on charges of armed bank robbery, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

The nine-count indictment charges that from May 23 to August 28, 2006 Bangura robbed nine banks of a total of $91,185, in each case threatening that he had a bomb. Wallace is charged in two of those robberies.

Specifically, the indictment alleges that they robbed: BB&T Bank at 200 East Pratt Street in Baltimore of $2,100 on May 23, 2006; Bank of America at 8788 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring of $9,640 on May 24, 2006; Sun Trust Bank at 120 East Baltimore Street in Baltimore of $2,264 on June 7, 2006; Wachovia Bank at 7901 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda of $2,795 on June 9, 2006; M&T Bank at 25 South Charles Street in Baltimore of $5,346 on June 20, 2006; M&T Bank at 5100 Campbell Boulevard in White Marsh of $19,189 on June 28, 2006; Wachovia Bank at 8807 Pulaski Highway in Baltimore of $2,301 on August 4, 2006; M&T Bank at 1409 Pulaski Highway in Edgewood of $22,620 on August 24, 2006; and Peoples Bank at 975 East Pulaski Highway in Elkton of $24,930 on August 28, 2006.

The defendants face a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. No court appearance has yet been scheduled for the defendants.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Baltimore City Police Department and the Elkton Police Department. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Levin, who is prosecuting the case.

This page last modified—October 18, 2006