Federal Armed Robbery Charges Filed Against Man for Henderson Bank Robberies

June 7, 2010 - LAS VEGAS—A man is scheduled to appear in federal court this afternoon for robbing two banks in Henderson, Nevada in April and May with handguns, announced Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada.

Austin Joshua Peterson, 31, of Henderson, is charged in a six-count indictment with two counts of armed bank robbery, two counts of using of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of possessing a stolen firearm. If convicted, Peterson faces up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each bank robbery charge, up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each stolen firearm charge, seven years minimum consecutive on the first use of the firearm during a crime of violence charge, and 25 years minimum consecutive on the second use of the firearm during a crime of violence charge.

Peterson allegedly robbed the U.S. Bank located inside of Smith’s grocery store at 1000 N. Green Valley Parkway in Henderson on April 13, 2010, and the U.S. Bank located inside of Smith’s grocery store at 10616 S. Eastern Avenue in Henderson on May 10, 2010. Peterson is charged with possessing two stolen firearms, a Bersa, 380 semi-automatic handgun allegedly used in the second robbery, and a Kel-Tec P-11 semi-automatic handgun.

Peterson was arrested by Henderson Police Department Officers on May 10, 2010. He is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge George W. Foley, Jr. at 3:00 p.m. today in Las Vegas.

This investigation is being conducted by the FBI and Henderson Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phillip N. Smith, Jr.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.