NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

A. COURTNEY COX
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
Nine Executive Drive, Fairview Heights, Illinois 62208, Telephone (618) 628-3700

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2008

ALTON MAN CONVICTED OF BANK ROBBERY

A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that a federal jury in East St. Louis has found RODNEY BROWN , age 30, guilty of Aggravated Bank Robbery, and Using a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence.

BROWN , a long-time Alton resident, was convicted in U.S. District Court after a four-day jury trial.

BROWN and three other men robbed the U.S. Bank in Alton of approximately $68,000.00 on October 20, 2006. BROWN’s three co-defendants pled guilty prior to trial.

BROWN is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis, Illinois.

According to evidence presented at trial, Brown provided the handgun used in the robbery, and also helped to assemble a fake bomb worn by one of the robbers.

Brown was arrested in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 13, 2006. Police recovered approximately $18,500.00 from Brown at the time of his arrest.

The investigation which led to Brown’s conviction was conducted by the FBI and Alton Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Garrison.