Vegas Bank Robber Gets Over a Decade Inside

Las Vegas, NV – Jasmine Bernard Austion, 30, will spend the next 135 months in a federal prison after pleading guilty to robbing three banks in a single day. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey handed down the sentence today, adding three years of supervised release to the term. Austion’s brazen attempt to fleece multiple financial institutions culminated in a chaotic standoff with the Las Vegas Metro PD SWAT team.

The crime spree unfolded on October 26, 2021, starting in North Las Vegas. Austion walked into the first bank and slapped a threatening note onto the teller counter, demanding $20,000 and hinting at armed possession. When the tellers alerted authorities, he bolted. But Austion wasn’t finished. He hit a second bank, physically shoving an elderly customer aside in a desperate attempt to reach the teller, who refused to hand over cash. He fled again, undeterred.

The third bank proved to be his undoing. Austion again presented a threatening note – this time, a crude, escalating message promising harm if demands weren’t met: “I will harm people all money all drawers.” When the teller refused, Austion resorted to violently banging a fire extinguisher against the teller barrier, attempting to smash his way into the cash drawers. That’s when the Las Vegas Metro PD SWAT team arrived, bringing the chaotic scene to a swift end.

Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci, secured the guilty plea on all three counts in January 2023. The FBI, along with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department and the North Las Vegas Police Department, jointly investigated the case. “This individual’s reckless actions put lives at risk,” stated a source close to the investigation. “The speed and coordination of the agencies involved prevented this from escalating into something far worse.”

Austion’s defense team argued for leniency, citing a troubled background and a plea of remorse. Judge Dorsey, however, remained firm. The severity of the crimes – the blatant disregard for public safety and the terror inflicted on bank employees and customers – demanded a significant punishment. The 11-year-plus sentence sends a clear message: bank robbery won’t be tolerated in Las Vegas.

This case underscores a continuing concern for federal authorities in Nevada. While the region booms with tourism and economic growth, it also attracts criminal elements. The feds are increasing resources dedicated to financial crimes and violent offenses, aiming to disrupt these patterns and ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike. Austion’s sentence is a stark warning to anyone considering similar acts of desperation and violence.