2 Md. Men Charged In Bank Robberies Plead Not Guilty In Va.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Two Maryland men have pleaded not guilty to a string of bank robberies that authorities say netted $1.3 million.
David Darnell Lowery, 37, and Derek Lamar Tompkins, 35, of Prince George's County entered their pleas on charges of robbery conspiracy and brandishing a firearm Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Richmond. They demanded a jury trial, which was scheduled for Dec. 5.
A federal prosecutor said the government may call more than 100 witnesses.
According to a federal grand jury indictment, Lowery and Tompkins were part of a robbery ring that held up 24 banks from Maryland to South Carolina over a five-year period. One co-defendant has pleaded guilty and is serving a 30-year sentence, and another will be arraigned Sept. 30.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
