FARMINGTON – A Jay man received a partially-suspended, four-year prison sentence today in Franklin County Superior Court, after pleading guilty to robbing the Franklin Savings Bank in Jay earlier this year.
Alan Lewis, 40 of Jay, apologized for his actions after waiving his right to a grand jury hearing and pleading guilty to robbery, a Class B felony. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with all but six months of that sentence suspended.
“I know what I did was wrong,” Lewis said, adding he would take it back if he could.
A misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle without a license was dismissed.
According to a summary of evidence the state believes it could have presented had the case proceeded to trial, read in court by Assistant District Attorney Joshua Robbins, Lewis entered the bank at 3:12 p.m. on July 25, handing a note to the teller and leaving a bag of money. According to court documents filed by the Jay Police Department, the note said: “Give me the money in the immediate area. If you don’t it will be bad. No dye packs, no buttons. Be good and I’ll leave.”
Upon arriving at the bank, Officer Russell Adams was told by witnesses that the suspect was “Alan who used to work at Hannaford” and that the suspect drove away in a maroon sedan. Upon reviewing the security footage, Adams identified Lewis.
JPD Sgt. Troy Young arrived first at Lewis’ trailer. There, police found Lewis’ maroon car, including the same, black-taped license plate, that had been seen leaving the bank. Lewis’ clothing matched the man that robbed the bank, and one of Lewis’ first comments to Young was “yeah, I did it.”
According to Robbins, Lewis later showed Young a paper bag containing $1,793 in stolen bills. Lewis told Young that he was “trying to non-violently rob the bank.”
Robbins said that the DA’s Office arrived at the four-year, partially-suspended sentence by comparing Lewis’ actions with that of other bank robbers. Lewis’ limited criminal record, consisting of a 2009 operating under the influence conviction and 2004 terrorizing and assault convictions, also paid a role, as did Lewis taking responsibility for his actions.
Upon his release, Lewis will be on probation for three years, with conditions to include no contact with Franklin Savings Bank, no alcohol or illegal drugs with random search for same, and substance abuse counseling.
That’s about right. Four years suspended jail time for bank robbery. Last week a woman was beaten and assaulted with attemt of rape and he got out too. And yet I talked with an elderly gentleman who had a very stiff fine and criminal charge for fishing with his grandson without a license . Makes NO sense. But that’s one of the mysteries of our society these days. I also can’t figure out the woman in front of me at a local store buying beer, chips, cigarettes , lobster and other seafood , holding a thick wad of cash , and trying to use her welfare card to pay for it all. And she was trying to hold on to her smart phone with one hand while holding her baby on her hip who was dressed head to toe with LL bean clothes. ??????? I shop goodwill for my clothes and work several jobs to keep a roof over my head and can’t remember the last time I ate lobster! Another head scratcher. That’s why I’m voting for Lepage again. He is trying to end this nonsense
Well said Drastic. I would not change a word of what you said. I am sure somehow it will be societies fault for the way these people act. No one is held responsible anymore. My biggest issue would be the welfare as well. It seems that some recipients of welfare drive better cars and wear better clothes than I do.
a i missing something? i thought bank robbery as a federal offense.
I thought bank robberies were a Federal offense, prosecuted by the Federal courts – what is up with this? Another slap on the wrist because the criminals know how to play the system – “I’m so sorry, I’d take it all back if I could, blah, blah, blah…..)
“Upon his release, Lewis will be on probation for three years, with conditions to include no contact with Franklin Savings Bank, no alcohol or illegal drugs with random search for same, and substance abuse counseling.” Are you kidding me? No one will f/u and there will be no substance abuse counseling (unless he stole enough to pay for it) he will be laughing all the way to the next bank within 6 months of his release.
As long as we continue to hold criminals not responsible we will have increasing crime. It is about time we
have a judicial system that says: “The minimum punishment for this crime is 4 years of incarceration (where you will be given 3 square meals a day, a roof over your head, medical needs met, and the mandatory substance abuse counseling – oh yeah educational opportunites are free to you too!) Maybe when the punishment is taken seriously it will decrease.
ThatWAS Drasitc! I saw a lady at Cumby’s buy 4 cases of French champaigne, a crate of caviar,and filet mignon for her dog,who was wearing a Tiffany collar,all with food stamps. I see why Drastic was ashamed to sign that one. Does he know that this story is about a bank robbery?