Montgomery Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

Montgomery’s Darrin J. Bell, 32, has entered a guilty plea in federal court for the daring October 5, 2011, bank heist at Community Bank and Trust on East Chase Parkway. Bell is facing significant penalties after brandishing a firearm and demanding cash from a teller.

Bell’s brazen act, which put innocent patrons and employees at risk, has landed him charges of bank robbery and using a firearm during a violent crime. U.S. Attorney George L. Beck Jr. emphasized the seriousness of Bell’s actions: ‘This is a serious crime, which requires serious punishment. We will not let up on these criminals.’

The investigation was a collaborative effort between federal and local law enforcement agencies, with the FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, Mobile Division, Stephen E. Richardson, praising the joint efforts. The maximum sentence for bank robbery is 20 years, while using a firearm during a violent crime carries a minimum of seven years in prison.

Assistant United States Attorney Susan R. Redmond is handling the case, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has expressed its gratitude to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Montgomery Police Department, and Opelika Police Department for their dedication. Bell now awaits his fate in the federal justice system.

The maximum sentence for bank robbery is 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release for no more than three years. Using a firearm during a violent crime carries at least seven years’ imprisonment, with similar fines and supervised release terms.

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