Ex-Minneapolis Cop Sentenced To 8 Years (The SWAT Team Bank Robber)

WCCO ^ | 08/02/2010 | WCCO

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

A former Minneapolis SWAT team member was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for the Jan. 6 robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank in Apple Valley.

Timothy Carson, 29, pleaded guilty in March to two counts -- one for armed robbery and one firearms count. He received seven years for using a firearm and one year for the bank robbery.

"When police officers break the law, it shakes public confidence and trust in ways we cannot measure. Today's sentence makes clear that no one is above the law," said United States Attorney B. Todd Jones, following the sentencing.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

Carson also allegedly carried out 12 robberies or attempted robberies in Minneapolis and its suburbs in the three weeks leading up to the bank robbery. Charges in those cases are pending in state court.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

He received seven years for using a firearm and one year for the bank robbery.

Okay... does this seem odd to anyone else?

[SWAMPSNIPER]

You’ve got to figure on where it is.

[NormsRevenge]

Sooo, if he used his hand as a fake gun in his pocket, would he still get 7 years for that?

[OneWingedShark]

When the police believe that they can use a general warrant to knock down your door in the middle of the night, terrorize your family, shoot your dog that degrades public trust as well. But who are we to question the integrity and righteousness of the authorities who are our betters for the simple fact that they are in positions of authority? {That is to say, "Obviously he's just an anomaly; you're best off realizing that most of the police are on your side."[/sarc]}

[/cynic]

[USNBandit]

He made a plea deal. Either the evidence was shaky or the U.S. attorney wanted to make 100% sure he was in prison while all the state charges were pending.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

IIRC he was caught on video using a department issued gun and the money was recovered at his apartment. Also an eyewitness ID’ed his car as the get away vehicle.

[USNBandit]

Well maybe the Deputy USA is a chicken. 8 years seems light for a policeman committing a violent crime.

[Lion Den Dan]

I thought a bank heist got you 10 to 20 —— years not months.

[The Magical Mischief Tour]

I thought a bank heist got you 10 to 20 —— years not months.

Just for the little people, not the politicians or cops...

Apartheid Criminal Justice System is alive and well in this country...

[Secret Agent Man]

Should have had a tougher sentence because he was a cop.

[DesertRhino]

It depends,, if you slip a note, steal a 1000 bucks, and wear a mask, yes. If you are a bank executive, wear a suit, and steal billions,,,, it’s cool.

[steveab]

“Today’s sentence makes clear that no one is above the law,” said United States Attorney B. Todd Jones, following the sentencing.”

Unless your an elected elite. Some animals are more equal than others.

[MplsSteve]

The cop’s defense attorney alleged PTSD was a cause of this guy going out and robbing banks and convenience stores. The cop served a tour of duty in Iraq.

Also, the article says “Some of the underlying factors that may have led to Carson’s bizarre behavior were also revealed in court. George spoke of how his wife was lying to him and had him convinced that she was dying from leukemia and undergoing chemotherapy.

Beyond the young family’s mounting money pressures, George told the court that Carson’s wife fabricated a story that their baby girl had been molested by a neighbor, but that evidence couldn’t support charges.”