Published: July 13, 2009 10:17 am      

Innocent pleas entered on federal robbery charges

staff report



More than five years after they allegedly robbed the Citizens Bank of Annville at gunpoint, making off with $206,000, Randy Lee Ryan Gilliam and Michael Ray Gilliam pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday in U.S. District Court in London.

The Gilliams, who were indicted by a federal grand jury June 18 on charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm in relation to a violent crime, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Wier. Wier set the case for a jury trial beginning Sept. 15.

Citing a motion by U.S. Attorneys to have them remain in custody until the trial, Wier ordered the Gilliams to return to court at 3:30 p.m. Friday for a detention hearing. Wier explained it will be up to the defense to prove the Gilliams will appear in court as required and that they do not pose a danger to society if they are released while awaiting trial.

“It has been an on going case with numerous leads. KSP & FBI worked jointly and are glad we are heading for a possible closure for the victims,” said Kentucky State Police Detective Joie Peters, who investigated the case.

On June 24, 2004, Kentucky State Police and FBI agents were called to investigate the robbery in which two masked subjects waited at the home of bank employee Hilda Judd. When Judd arrived the men forced her and her husband to drive to the bank in the Judds’ 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. At the bank, they took the case and made their escape in the pick-up truck, leaving the Judds, Bank Manager Junior Shackleford and cleaning lady Leslie Mathis inside until help arrived.

If convicted of the robbery charge, the Gilliams each face 10 years to life in prison, up a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. If convicted of the possession of a firearm charge, they face up to five years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine and up to five years of supervised release. Under federal law, the sentences must run consecutively.

The Gilliams remain in the Laurel County Detention Center.

Staff writer Dean Manning may be reached at dmanning@sentinel-echo.com.