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Tennessee Man Sentenced to Life for Robbery and Murder of Postal Workers
A Tennessee man has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for the robbery and murder of two United States Postal Service employees. Chastain Montgomery, Sr., 50, of Lavergne, Tennessee, was ordered to pay $70,400 in restitution for federal crimes committed during a six-month spree.
On October 18, 2010, Montgomery, Sr. and his son drove from Nashville to Henning, Tennessee, robbed the United States Post Office, and then murdered Sales and Service Associate Paula Robinson and Rural Carrier Associate Judy Spray.
Montgomery, Sr. and his son returned to Nashville following their crimes. Eight days later, Montgomery, Jr. stole a Nissan Frontier pick-up truck in Smyrna, Tennessee, and used it as the getaway vehicle following their robbery at gunpoint of Southeast Financial Credit Union in Lavergne on October 29, 2010.
One month later, the pair stole a Chevy Venture minivan and used it as a getaway vehicle following the robbery at gunpoint of Mid-South Bank in Smyrna, Tennessee.
On February 14, 2011, the pair made plans to leave the Middle Tennessee area. Montgomery, Jr. carjacked a man, stole his Chevrolet pick-up truck, and drove it from Nashville to Mason, Tennessee. During the journey, he was observed by Chief Deputy Sheriff Mike Smothers of the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department, who began a vehicular pursuit.
Chief Deputy Smothers reported that Montgomery, Jr. began driving at an excessive rate of speed and veered into other lanes in what appeared to be an attempt to cause an auto accident. Chief Deputy Smothers was joined in his pursuit by Mason Police Chief J.C. Paris.
When Montgomery, Jr. entered the town of Mason, he exited his vehicle and began shooting at members of law enforcement and innocent civilians outside a nearby market. Chief Deputy Smothers returned fire and struck Montgomery, Jr., who died at the scene.
The sentence was imposed by Senior U.S. District Judge Jon P. McCalla of the Western District of Tennessee. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell praised the tireless efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement who assisted with the investigation and prosecution of this case.
“With the help of his son, Chastain Montgomery, Sr. heartlessly murdered two U.S. postal employees and put countless others at risk during a violent six-month crime spree that included armed bank robbery and kidnapping,” Caldwell said.
“The senseless and heinous murders of Paula Robinson and Judy Spray have left an irreplaceable void throughout the entire community,” said U.S. Attorney Edward Stanton. “I want to commend the tireless efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement who assisted with the investigation and prosecution of this case.”
Defendant/Respondent: Chastain Montgomery, Sr.
Criminal Charges: Murder, Armed Bank Robbery
City and State: Lavergne, Tennessee
Exact Date: February 14, 2011 (sentencing)
Sentence or Outcome: Two consecutive life sentences, $70,400 in restitution
Dollar Amounts: $70,400
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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