PRESS NOTICE

W. WALTER WILKINS

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA

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1441 Main Street * Suite 500 * Columbia, SC 29201 * (803) 929-3000 *

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October 7, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT PERSON: KEVIN F. MCDONALD      (803) 929-3000

 

ARMED ROBBER AGREES TO 25 YEAR SENTENCE

Columbia, South Carolina ---- United States Attorney W. WALTER WILKINS stated that Ryan Craig Brown, age 23, of Columbia, South Carolina, pled guilty in federal court to bank robbery, armed robbery, and using a firearm in the commission of the bank robbery. As part of his plea, Brown agreed to be sentenced to 25 years in prison.

On November 16, 2005, Brown robbed the First Palmetto Savings Bank at 2310 North Broad Street in Camden, by pointing a gun at the tellers and demanding money. On December 20, 2005, Brown robbed the Movie Gallery, 949 South Governor Williams Highway, in Darlington, by shoving a firearm into the store manager's side, demanding money from the register and safe, and forcing the employees and several customers into the restroom at the rear of the store. Brown also took the manager's car to flee the scene and was involved in a high-speed chase with law enforcement. The stolen vehicle was struck in the rear by a patrol car and forced off the road into a nearby ditch. Brown had a loaded pistol, cash, and a set of restraints in his possession when he was apprehended after a chase on foot from the accident scene.

The case was investigated by the Darlington and Camden Police Departments, SLED, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Rose Mary Parham of the Florence office is prosecuting the case as part of Project CeaseFire, an initiative of the United States Attorneys Office that seeks to aggressively prosecute gun-related crimes.