Two Sacramento Men Indicted for Armored Car Robbery

SACRAMENTO, CA—Raymell Lamar Eason, 42, and Keith Lamont Smith, 36, both of Sacramento were indicted today by a federal grand jury for interference with commerce by robbery, U.S. Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force that includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Sacramento Police Department, and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez is prosecuting the case.

According to court documents, on April 17, 2012, Eason and Smith parked in a Wal-Mart parking lot on Florin Road in Sacramento with an activated Taser gun. Allegedly, the two men were waiting for a Garda Logistics Services armored car that they planned to rob when the guard left the Wal-Mart with its currency deposits. Eason is alleged to have shot the guard with the Taser while Smith waited in their getaway vehicle. The robbery was unsuccessful and the Garda armored car guard reportedly shot Eason during his flight. According to court records, Eason and Smith were arrested shortly after the botched robbery.

Both defendants are scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kendall J. Newman in Sacramento on Tuesday July 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. They face up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, if they are convicted, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors.

The charges are only accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

FBI and State and Local Law Enforcement Recover Six Juveniles During Child Sex Trafficking Operation

SACRAMENTO—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Crimes Against Children Unit and its state and local law enforcement partners are pleased to announce the recovery of six children who were being victimized as prostitutes in the Chico, Redding, Sacramento, and Vallejo areas. The number of minors recovered locally is one of the highest in the nation, making this local achievement one of Operation Cross Country VI’s top success stories.

The Sacramento Division of the FBI and multiple local and state law enforcement participated in the operation from June 19 through June 23, 2012. In addition to six juveniles recovered in Sacramento, multi-agency teams also arrested six pimps during the three-day operation. The local efforts account for nearly eight percent of the children rescued during Operation Cross Country VI.

In addition to the FBI Sacramento Division, the following agencies participated in last week’s local operation:

■Butte County District Attorney

■California Highway Patrol

■California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

■Chico Police Department

■Redding Police Department

■Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department

■Sacramento Police Department

■Vallejo Police Department

Operation Cross Country is a multi-day, national enforcement action targeting the domestic sex trafficking of children. The operation is coordinated by the Innocence Lost initiative and is a partnership between the FBI, state and local law enforcement partners, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Since the first Operation Cross County in June 2008, multi-agency teams in the Sacramento Division’s area of responsibility have recovered 23 children and arrested 18 pimps.

Nationwide, 226 federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in 57 cities participated in Operation Cross County VI, resulting in the rescue of 79 children and arrests of 104 pimps. There are 47 task forces and working groups throughout the country addressing the issue of child sex trafficking.

Additional information about Operation Coast to Coast and video that depicts local activities can be found on www.fbi.gov at the conclusion of the national press conference.

SACRAMENTO MAN SENTENCED FOR ARSON

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), San Francisco Field Division Special Agent in Charge Stephen C. Herkins and Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel, announced yesterday that Robert Durst was sentenced to 17 years in state prison for an arson that caused great bodily injury to four Sacramento firefighters.

On July 5, 2010, at approximately 1:30 a.m., 43 year-old Durst, a resident of Sacramento, took a candle from his home and placed it inside his neighbor’s vacant house. Durst then turned on a valve in the kitchen. Approximately eight hours later Sacramento firefighters responded to a call for a reported gas leak. When firefighters opened the structure for ventilation, the oxygen entered the gas laden house. This reaction caused the candle to ignite the gas in the house, which resulted in an explosion. Three firefighters were significantly burned and another suffered serious injuries.

On April 26, a jury found Durst guilty of arson that caused great bodily injury, two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of property, and carrying a loaded firearm.

“Arson is a violent crime that often results in the catastrophic loss of life and property,” said Herkins. “Arson related crime continues to be one of ATF’s highest investigative priorities. This investigation was a joint effort and we are pleased with the successful conclusion.”

“We are appreciative of the cooperation with the various units that participated in this investigation, said Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel.”

This investigation was conducted by the Sacramento Police Department in conjunction with special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Investigators with the Sacramento Fire Department. The case was prosecuted by Sacramento Deputy District Attorney Rod Norgaard.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating arson violations. More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov

ARSONIST FOUND GUILTY

INJURED FOUR SACRAMENTO FIREFIGHTERS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento District Attorney Jan Scully, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), San Francisco Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Scot Thomasson, Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel and Sacramento Fire Chief Ray Jones announced Robert Durst was found guilty of an arson that caused great bodily injury to four Sacramento firefighters.

On April 26, a Sacramento jury with one day of deliberation found Durst, age 46, a resident of Sacramento guilty of intentionally setting the fire that caused great bodily injury, two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of property, and carrying a loaded firearm.

On July 5, 2010, at approximately 1:30 in the morning, Durst placed a lit candle in his neighbor’s vacant house and opened the gas valves on the stove. Eight hours later when Sacramento firefighters went to the home for reports of a gas leak a massive explosion occurred when they opened the structure for ventilation. Three firefighters were burned and another suffered serious injuries.

Durst is scheduled to be sentenced May 24, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. in Department 16 of the Sacramento Superior Court.

This investigation was conducted by the Sacramento Police Department in conjunction with agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and investigators with the Sacramento Fire Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Rod Norgaard.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating arson violations. More information on ATF can be found at atf.gov

FBI Seeks Armed and Dangerous “AK-47 Bandit” in Northern California

SACRAMENTO—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) asks the public to help identify an armed bank robber suspected in a bank robbery in Vacaville, California and attempt to access a bank for the purpose of robbery in Sacramento, California. The individual is also believed to be connected to a robbery in Chino, California in which an officer was shot.

The armed suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5’ 10” tall, 180-220 pounds and is estimated at 25-40 years old based on the sound of his voice. In each incident, he has been dressed in tactical gear over a short-sleeved collared shirt and blue pants. He has also worn a full-face ski mask and blue ballistic vest and/or a green mesh vest marked “Sheriff.” During the robberies, the individual entered armed with a shoulder-held AK-47 assault rifle with a drum magazine.

In each incident, the suspect was seen leaving the scene in a dark grey full-size sedan presumed to be a Nissan Maxima with chrome trim and tinted windows. A flyer with photos of the vehicle and the subject in addition to reward information is available at fbi.gov/ak47.

At approximately 4:50 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2012, Bank of the West located on the 1000 block of Helen Power Drive in Vacaville was robbed. The suspect left the area with an undisclosed amount of cash. The vehicle’s license plate may have been covered during this robbery.

Three days prior (March 9), at approximately 9:45 a.m., the suspect attempted to enter the Tri Counties Bank located on the 1700 block of Challenge Way in Sacramento through locked doors at the rear of the building. The doors are always locked and are employee-only entry doors. The employees refused to open the door and the suspect drove away.

Due to the similarities in weapon, appearance, and vehicle, the suspect is also believed to be connected to the February 29, 2012 robbery of California Bank and Trust in Chino. An officer patrolling the area came upon the suspect as he was fleeing the bank. The suspect fired upon the officer, seriously wounding him.

Prior to the Chino robbery, a male called a bomb threat into 911 dispatch center from a payphone in the area. Investigators believe that the suspect may have made the call as a diversion to delay officer response to California Bank and Trust.

The robberies and attempted robbery are being investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, Sacramento Police Department, Vacaville Police Department, and Chino Police Department.

The suspect is heavily armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees or comes into contact with the suspect is asked to call 911 immediately and refrain from attempts to apprehend the suspect independently.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individual responsible for the above crimes. Individuals who may have information regarding this suspect are asked to contact their local FBI office or law enforcement agency. Information can be provided anonymously.

Contacts

Chino Police Department: 909-628-1234

Los Angeles Field Office: 310-477-6565

Sacramento Field Office: 916-481-9110

Sacramento Police Department: 916-732-0100

San Francisco Field Office: 415-553-7400

Vacaville Police Department: 707-449-5200