DENVER (LAWFUEL) – Sammy Edward French, Jr., born in 1952, was found guilty late last week of seven counts of bank robbery, United States Attorney Troy Eid and FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis announced. The five day trial was before U.S. District Court Judge Wiley Y. Daniel. The jury deliberated for less than 90 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts. French remains in custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Daniel on November 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. French was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on September 13, 2006. His trial started on Monday, August 11th, and finished on Friday, August 15th.
According to the Indictment, as well as facts presented during the trial, French committed three armed bank robberies and four other bank robberies. On January 9, 2006, French used a handgun to rob the World Savings Bank, located at 1905 South Wadsworth Boulevard, in Lakewood, Colorado. On May 1, 2006, French robbed the World Savings Bank, located at 10103 West Belleview Avenue, in Littleton, Colorado. On May 10, 2006, French robbed the World Savings Bank, located at 1930 South Nevada Avenue, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On May 26, 2006, French again robbed the World Savings Bank, located at 1905 South Wadsworth Boulevard, in Lakewood, Colorado. On June 6, 2006, French robbed a Key Bank, located at 5725 North Academy Boulevard, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On June 29, 2006, French used a handgun to rob the Key Bank, located at 3605 Hartsel Drive, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On July 3, 2006, French used a handgun to rob Canon National Bank, located at 3204 Colorado Avenue, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“This was a case of runaway violence, which Mr. French can contemplate from a prison cell,” said U.S. Attorney Troy Eid.
“This is a prime example of why partnerships in law enforcement work,” said Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge James Davis. “Through a multi-agency effort, we have removed a serial criminal from the streets, making Colorado safer.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Southern Colorado Safe Streets Gang Task Force in Colorado Springs, the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force in Denver, the Colorado Springs Police Department, the Pueblo Police Department, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Arvada Police Department.
French faces up to 25 years in federal prison for each of the 3 counts of armed bank robbery. French faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each of the 4 counts of bank robbery. In addition, the defendant faces a fine of up to $250,000 for each count, as well as restitution.
The trial was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Judith Smith and Greg Holloway.
