THREE CHARGED IN LIVINGSTON CREDIT UNION ROBBERY

BIRMINGHAM, AL - An indictment has been filed today in United States District Court charging VINCENT DEWAYNE LAWRENCE, DIONDUS DEWARREN BURTON, and REBECCA GAYE ROSEBERRY with conspiracy to commit bank robbery, the armed robbery of the Sumter County Credit Union on December 15, 2006, and brandishing a firearm during that robbery.

"Every bank robbery in this District will be quickly and aggressively prosecuted," stated United States Attorney Alice H. Martin.

LAWRENCE, 26 and BURTON, 24, are both residents of Livingston, Alabama, and have been in custody since their arrest in February of 2007. ROSEBERRY, 18, is a resident of Atlanta, Georgia. The indictment charges that the defendants traveled to the Sumter County Credit Union in ROSEBERRY’s automobile on December 15, 2006. In order to create a diversion for the police, LAWRENCE placed a false telephone emergency call to report a fictitious incident in an area away from the Credit Union. LAWRENCE then entered the Credit Union and robbed it of approximately $39,000, while BURTON and ROSEBERRY waited in ROSEBERRY’s vehicle.

The maximum sentence for conspiracy is five years in prison, and a possible fine of $250,000. The maximum sentence for armed robbery is twenty-five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The maximum sentence for brandishing a firearm during the commission of a violent crime is not less than seven years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

"Robbing a bank ensures you an invitation to federal prison," stated Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division. "Police officers and federal agents are commended for their diligent efforts in this case."

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Livingston Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael W. Whisonant is prosecuting this matter on behalf of the U.S. 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.