Montgomery Man Sentenced for Bank Robbery

Darrin Joseph Bell, 35, of Montgomery, Alabama, was handed down a sentence yesterday for the October 5, 2011, armed robbery of the Community Bank and Trust on Eastchase Parkway. The United States District Court Judge W. Keith Watkins sentenced Bell to 90 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Bell, who plead guilty on January 4, 2013, admitted to wearing a motorcycle helmet, jacket, gloves, and dark blue jeans while approaching the teller with a book bag containing a silver semi-automatic handgun. After robbing $1,500 from the teller, Bell fled on a motorcycle.

The Montgomery Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation worked together to identify Bell as the suspect, securing a search warrant for his home where they found the motorcycle, helmet, gloves, and jacket used during the heist. Bell initially denied involvement but was quickly refuted by law enforcement.

U.S. Attorney Beck emphasized the severity of bank robberies, stating, ‘Bank robbery is a crime that endangers innocent workers and customers, often causing severe trauma. We will continue to vigorously prosecute those who use guns to put the public in danger.’

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Montgomery Police Department with assistance from other law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorney Susan R. Redmond prosecuted the case.

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