Federal prosecutors have dropped the hammer on Harrisburg’s Sharif Layton, 38, and Jamal Cooper, 29, charging them with bank robbery, conspiracy, and illegal firearms possession. The duo is alleged to have swiped over $20,000 from the Juniata Valley Bank in Burnham, Pennsylvania, in March of last year.
According to U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the evidence paints a picture of a violent crime gone awry. Layton and Cooper allegedly held up the bank with a .40 caliber Sig Sauer handgun, a weapon they were forbidden from possessing due to their felony records.
The aftermath was no less dramatic. The pair led authorities on a chase that spanned several miles before their vehicle was brought to a halt by spike strips. But it wasn’t over yet; Layton and Cooper faced federal charges as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (VCRP), a district-wide effort aimed at curbing gun violence.
The investigation was a collaborative affair, with the Mifflin County Regional Police Department, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the FBI Capital City Violent Crimes Task Force all playing pivotal roles. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Ford is now handling the prosecution of this case.
Despite the serious charges, it’s important to remember that Layton and Cooper are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The potential sentence, if they’re found guilty, could range from life imprisonment to supervised release, with fines to match.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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