June 24, 2009

TWO FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO MEN ARRESTED FOR ROBBING CORTEZ BANK

DENVER – Two Farmington, New Mexico men have been arrested and charged with armed bank robbery, the Department of Justice announced today.  The men, James C. McBride, age 29, and Michael Lee Montoya, age 30, are both in custody, being held without bond pending a resolution to their cases.  Both defendants have appeared in U.S. District Court in Durango, where they were advised of the charges pending against them.

McBride was charged by Criminal Complaint on June 10, 2009.  Montoya was charged by Criminal Complaint on June 19, 2009.  Both face armed bank robbery charges, which are punishable by not more than 25 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

According to the facts contained in the defendants’ affidavits, on June 8, 2009, Michael Lee Montoya entered the Community Banks of Colorado, Cortez branch, located at 1438 East Main Street.  He allegedly brandished a firearm and demanded money from a teller.  After obtaining the money, Montoya fled the bank to a vehicle in a nearby parking lot.  James McBride allegedly was the getaway driver.  Approximately 30 minutes after the robbery McBride was located and taken into custody.  Montoya was later found in Farmington, New Mexico and arrested.

“These arrests are the result of tremendous effort made by members of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Cortez Police Department, and the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Gaouette.

This case was investigated by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Cortez Police Department, the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Norvell and Dondi Osborne.

These charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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