United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS DALLAS MAN IN
GUARANTY BANK ARMED BANK ROBBERY

Two Accomplices are Wanted by FBI

DALLAS — After less than one hour of deliberation, a federal jury convicted Malik Idis Houston, 29, of Dallas, of the armed bank robbery last summer of Guaranty Bank, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Specifically, the jury convicted Houston on one count of conspiracy to commit bank robbery and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. He faces a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison and a $500,000 fine. Sentencing is set for February 25, 2009, before U.S. District Judge Jorge A. Solis.

The government presented evidence at trial that on June 12, 2008, Houston, along with two accomplices, robbed the Guaranty Bank at 2307 West Illinois Avenue, in Dallas. Houston and an accomplice, wearing disguises that included masks, gloves and two layers of clothing, entered the bank and ordered the bank employees to the floor, where they were held at gunpoint. Houston jumped over the bank counter and ordered the teller to show him where they money was located. He took the money, put it in a white plastic bag and fled with his accomplice in a cream-colored Chrysler 300 sedan. Houston took the stolen money to an apartment at 2107 West Ledbetter and attempted to conceal the money in a toilet tank.

At trial, two witnesses, one who is 65-years-old and one who was pregnant at the time of the robbery, testified how they thought they were going to die as the robbers were taking them into the vault but instead, stopped mid-robbery.

Houston’s two accomplices, have been identified as Rodney Rogers and Cedric Demond Burns. The FBI requests that anyone recognizing Rogers or Burns, or having information on their current whereabouts should call the Dallas FBI Office at 972.559.5000, the Dallas Police Department or their local police agency. According to the FBI, Rogers and Burns are considered ARMED AND DANGEROUS and should not be approached by citizens who may recognize them or know their whereabouts. (Photographs attached and description information follows.)

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Dallas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon McCarthy and Gary Tromblay prosecuted the case.

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Rodney Rogers is described as follows:

Sex: Male
Race: Black
DOB: 04/14/1968
Place of Birth: Louisiana
Height: 5'09"
Weight: 160 pounds
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown

Cedric Demond Burns is described as:

Sex: Male
Race: Black
DOB: 07/03/1978
Place of Birth: Dallas, TX

Height: 5'06"
Weight: 198 pounds
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Tattoo: Right arm and left arm