January 9, 2009

JUDE DURAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR MONTROSE BANK ROBBERY

DENVER – Jude A. Duran, age 30, of Flora Vista, New Mexico, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge John L. Kane to serve 48 months (4 years) in federal prison for bank robbery, United States Attorney Troy Eid and FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis announced.  Duran, who is in federal custody, was remanded.  In the federal system there is no parole, therefore the defendant will serve at least 85 percent of his sentence.

Jude A. Duran was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on May 20, 2008.  He pled guilty before former Chief U.S. District Court Judge Edward W. Nottingham on October 8, 2008.  He was sentenced today, January 9, 2009, by Judge Kane.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the plea agreement, on May 13, 2008, Duran drove to Montrose, Colorado from his home in Flora Vista, New Mexico.  He had recently acquired a handgun from a private party for the purpose of committing a bank robbery.  Upon arriving in Montrose, Duran drove to the north side of Montrose, where he placed a 911 call from a phone booth.  The defendant requested help in a disguised voice.  He then drove south to the Vectra Bank.

At the bank, Duran disguised himself with a balaclava and sun glasses.  On entering the bank, he pointed the handgun at the employees in the lobby and approached one of the teller windows.  He then placed a white bag on the counter and instructed the teller to put the money in it.  Duran then took the bag of money and left the bank, where he was observed by customers of a nearby business. 

“Bank robbers should fully expect to rethink their lives from a prison cell,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid.

This case was investigated by the FBI, with substantial assistance from the Montrose Police Department and the Montrose Sheriff’s Office.

Duran was being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wyatt Angelo.

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