Former Prince George's County Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

Strategic Insights -

A former police officer has pleaded guilty to breaking into a bank with the intent to commit a felony. Eddie Lee Smith, Jr., 42, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was accused of leading a burglary gang that attempted to steal approximately $40,540 from a SunTrust Bank in Temple Hills, Maryland. Smith's accomplice, Earl Blake, 53, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, also pleaded guilty to the same charge. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Prince George's County Police Department and the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eddie Lee Smith, Jr., a 42-year-old former Prince George's County Police Officer, pleaded guilty to breaking into a bank with intent to commit felony bank larceny.
  • The incident occurred on June 9, 2009, when Smith and co-defendant Earl Blake attempted to steal approximately $40,540 from a SunTrust Bank in Temple Hills, Maryland.
  • Smith met with Blake at a pre-arranged location and provided him with a black bag containing an electric grinder/saw and other materials to cut open the ATM safe.
  • The two men knew the police officer was off-duty at the time of the attempted heist and used a marked police cruiser to transport Blake to the bank.
  • Members of the Prince George's County Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at the bank and discovered Blake inside.
  • Blake was subsequently arrested, and the police officer was charged with the crime.
  • Co-defendant Earl Blake, 53, also pleaded guilty to the same charge.
  • The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein and Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Statistics:

  • $40,540: The approximate amount of money to be stolen from the SunTrust Bank.
  • June 9, 2009: The date of the attempted bank robbery.
  • 42: The age of former Prince George's County Police Officer Eddie Lee Smith, Jr.
  • 53: The age of co-defendant Earl Blake.
  • 20 years: The maximum sentence Smith faces in prison.
  • October 18, 2010: The sentencing date for Eddie Lee Smith, Jr.
  • August 12, 2010: The sentencing date for Earl Blake.

Sources:

  • Department of Justice Press Release, "Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery"
  • Baltimore Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein
  • Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Prince George's County Police Department Chief Roberto L. Hylton
  • Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Chief Eugene A. Jones
  • Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey