Levert Bates, Marc Montgomery Indicted in Key Bank Heist

Two Garfield Heights men are facing federal charges in connection with the armed robbery of a Key Bank on Turney Road last year. Levert A. Bates, 54, and Marc A. Montgomery, 50, were indicted on one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, federal prosecutors announced.

The indictment alleges that on November 30, 2016, Bates and Montgomery aided and abetted each other in storming the Garfield Heights branch of Key Bank, brandishing a firearm and fleeing with $55,376. Surveillance footage from the scene shows the two men moving with precision, one covering employees and customers while the other emptied the teller drawers.

“The actions of these two individuals brought great fear to the bank employees and customers that day,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony. “With the community and media’s support, law enforcement will continue to work tirelessly to identify individuals that choose to commit such violent actions and ensure they are held accountable.”

Carole S. Rendon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, confirmed the charges, emphasizing the severity of using a firearm during a bank robbery. The case was investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Garfield Heights Police Department, which collected forensic and video evidence leading to the indictment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan R. Miller is prosecuting the case. If convicted, the court will determine the defendants’ sentences after reviewing factors including prior criminal records, roles in the offense, and characteristics of the violation. While the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, it could still result in decades behind bars.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. Both Levert A. Bates and Marc A. Montgomery are entitled to a fair trial, where the government must prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The case is pending in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.