U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Western District of Texas
Johnny Sutton, U.S. Attorney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 4, 2008

Shana Jones, Special Assistant
Daryl Fields, Public Information Officer
(210) 384-7440 May 18, 2007

THREE AUSTIN MEN SENTENCED FOR ROBBING AUSTIN BANK ON HALLOWEEN

United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced that 27-year-old Gregory Lee Valle, 20-year-old Michael Joshua Compton and 24-year-old John Anthony Rodela were sentenced this morning to 166 months, 190 months and 120 months in federal prison, respectively, for robbing a Wachovia Bank in Austin on Halloween last year.

In addition, United States District Judge Sam Sparks ordered that Valle, Compton and Rodela be placed under supervised release for a period of five years after completing their prison terms and pay $9,208.26 restitution.

Earlier this year, Valle and Compton both pleaded guilty to armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence; Rodela pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the armed bank robbery and aiding and abetting the possession of an unregistered firearm–a “sawed-off” shotgun. The defendants admitted that on the afternoon of October 31, 2007, they entered the Wachovia Bank located at 6208 McNeil Drive in Austin, armed with shotguns and demanded money from bank employees and customers. The defendants fled the bank taking with them approximately $9,200 in cash as well as personal items from their victims such as purses, wallets and cell phones.

Federal bank robbery and firearms charges are pending against co-defendant 23-year-old Jerry Daniel Cantu. He is currently set for jury selection and trial on May 12, 2008.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives together with investigators from the Austin Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Gerald C. Carruth is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.