United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

MAN WHO ROBBED SAME BANK TWICE IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS
SENTENCED TO NEARLY EIGHT YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE

DALLAS — James Lenoir Thetford, 58, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to 95 months in prison for committing two bank robberies in Mesquite, Texas, in 2007, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. In pronouncing sentence, the Court noted the seriousness of the crimes he committed along with his extensive criminal history, dating back to 1972.

Thetford, a resident of Mesquite, pled guilty in March 2008 to robbing the Wells Fargo Bank, located at1300 North Town East Boulevard in Mesquite, on October 31, 2007 and then again on December 13, 2007. On both occasions, he approached the counter and handed a teller a note demanding money, and told the teller to “hurry up.” On both occasions the teller relinquished the money as a result of Thetford’s intimidation.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the FBI and the Mesquite, Texas, Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay prosecuted the case.

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