Catholine Hammett, Bank Robbery, LA 2024

NEW ORLEANS, LA – A brazen daytime robbery on St. Charles Avenue has landed 29-year-old Catholine Hammett in federal court, and now, a guilty plea. Hammett admitted today to robbing the Iberia Bank at 3412 St. Charles Avenue back in January, sending tellers scrambling and locals on edge.

According to court documents, on or about January 8, 2020, Hammett walked into the bank and handed a teller a chilling note: she claimed to be armed with a bomb. The demand was simple – cash. And she got it. Hammett made off with approximately $633 before disappearing into the New Orleans streets.

The feds didn’t let her disappear for long. The Federal Bureau of Investigation quickly launched an investigation, piecing together the evidence that led to Hammett’s arrest and, ultimately, today’s guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk. U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced the conviction, a small victory in a city constantly battling crime.

Hammett now faces a steep price for her actions. She’s looking at a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars, alongside a hefty $250,000 fine. If convicted, she’ll also be subject to three years of supervised release after serving her time, and a $100 special assessment fee. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a serious attempt to deter others from following suit.

Assistant U.S. Attorney G. Dall Kammer, who heads up the General Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case. Kammer has a reputation for being a tough prosecutor, and he’s not expected to go easy on Hammett during sentencing. The prosecution will likely paint a picture of a reckless individual who put innocent lives at risk for a few hundred dollars.

Sentencing is currently scheduled for December 2, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. The Grimy Times will be there to report on the final outcome of this case. This conviction serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly small-scale robberies carry significant consequences, and the FBI is actively investigating these crimes across the city.

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