CALHOUN COUNTY BANK ROBBER CHARGED

BIRMINGHAM, AL - TYRONE LEON PORTER has been indicted by a federal grand jury for armed bank robbery, carrying a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment alleges that on October 24, 2006, PORTER, 28, of Jacksonville, Alabama, entered the Wachovia Bank in Jacksonville along with a second person, and robbed it of approximately $287,000. PORTER was apprehended on October 24, 206, and has remained in police custody. Police are still searching for the second person involved in the robbery.

“This bank robbery maybe the largest bank robbery in the history of the Northern District of Alabama,” states U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. “In this case most of the money was recovered at the time of the arrest of Mr. Porter who now faces up to 25 years in prison.”

The maximum sentence for armed bank robbery is 25 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The minimum mandatory sentence for brandishing a firearm during a bank robbery is 7 years in prison consecutive to any other sentence. The maximum sentence for a felon in possession of a firearm is 15 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

“I appreciate the efforts of our local, state and federal partners in the swift apprehension of Mr. Porter,” states Carmen S. Adams, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge, Birmingham Field Division. “Anyone with information regarding the second person involved in this bank robbery is urged to contact the FBI at 205-326-6166.”

Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with Special Agents from Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating this case with the assistance of the Jacksonville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael W. Whisonant is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States Government.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.