Robbery suspect pleads not guilty

Indictment concerns eight incidents across several Texas counties

December 29, 2015 at 11:40 p.m. | Updated December 30, 2015 at 5:40 a.m.

by Lynn LaRowe

Lance
Lance

A suspect in a spree of armed robberies across several Texas counties last month appeared before a federal judge Tuesday in Texarkana.

photo

Jeff Chiu

AP

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Bobby Wayne Lance, 49, of Avery, Texas, is accused of holding up an employee Nov. 8 at the Cinemark Movies 8 Theatre in Paris, Texas, according to an eight-count federal indictment and earlier reports used to create the following account.

Less than a week later, Lance allegedly robbed the Carter's Store and RV Park convenience store on Farm to Market Road 990 near DeKalb, Texas, in Bowie County. Lance is accused of brandishing a firearm during the Nov. 14 convenience store robbery as well.

Lance allegedly got away with $73,946 when he robbed the First National Bank of Mount Vernon, Cypress Springs Branch, Nov. 17 in Franklin County. Lance is accused of the armed carjacking of a gray 2011 Ford F-150 pickup the same day as the bank robbery.

A federal indictment handed down Dec. 16 in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas federal court was unsealed Tuesday after Lance made his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven. Lance entered not-guilty pleas to all eight counts listed in his indictment with the help of Longview, Texas, lawyer Craig Bass.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Locker filed a motion seeking Lance's continued detention, citing the violent nature of the crimes with which he is charged and a need to protect the community. Bass waived the issue of detention and Lance remains in custody.

The robberies of the Lamar County movie theater, Bowie County convenience store and Franklin County bank are listed in three separate counts of Lance's indictment and are each punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. A fourth count charging Lance with carjacking is punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison. The remaining four counts of the indictment accuse Lance of carrying firearms and ammunition in furtherance of a violent crime.

Locker said the total sentences for the firearm counts could mean up to 82 years in federal prison in addition to the sentences Lance could receive for the underlying robberies. Lance's indictment includes a notice from the government of its intent to keep the $73,946 seized from Lance at that time of his arrest as well as a Taurus .38 special revolver.

Craven scheduled Lance's case for jury selection Feb. 22 before U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder, III, in Texarkana's downtown federal building.

 

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