Western Slope Bank Robbers Sentenced to Federal Prison

DENVER—On Monday, June 25, 2012, U.S. District Court Judge Marcia S. Krieger sentenced Brandon D. Smith to serve 63 months in federal prison for two counts of armed bank robbery. Following his prison sentence, Smith was ordered to serve five years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution jointly and severally with co-defendant Troy Ashley. Ashley was earlier sentenced by Judge Krieger to serve 57 months’ imprisonment, followed by five years on supervised release. He, too, was ordered to pay restitution jointly and severely with Smith.

Both defendants were responsible for two bank robberies, including the June 24, 2011 armed robbery of the Alpine Bank in Montrose and the July 29, 2011 armed robbery of the Surface Creek Bank in Cedaredge, Colorado.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Cedaredge Police Department assisted in apprehending the two bank robbers.

The defendants were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer.

Two People Indicted for Three Bank Robberies on the Western Slope

DENVER—Troy A. Ashley, age 24, and Brandon D. Smith, age 33, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver late yesterday on three counts of armed bank robbery, U.S. Attorney John Walsh and FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge James Yacone announced. Ashley and Smith are currently in state custody. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will writ them into federal custody. No federal court date has yet been set.

According to the indictment, the two defendants committed three armed bank robberies.

■Count 1 alleges that on May 27, 2011, the defendants robbed the American National Bank, located in Rifle, Colorado, using a pellet pistol.

■Count 2 alleges that on June 24, 2011, the defendants robbed the Alpine Bank, located in Montrose, Colorado, using a pellet pistol.

■Count 3 alleges that on July 29, 2011, the defendants robbed the Surface Creek Bank, located in Cedaredge, Colorado, using a pellet pistol.

If convicted, both defendants face not more than 25 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, per count, for each of the three counts. They also face a possible order to pay restitution.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Montrose Police Department, the Cedaredge Police Department, the Rifle Police Department, and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.

The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until found guilty.