Ringleader of ‘Palm Tree Bandits’ that Committed Nine Armed Bank Robberies in Six Months Sentenced to More than 32 Years in Prison

          LOS ANGELES – A Las Vegas, Nevada man who led the “Palm Tree Bandits” armed robbery crew that victimized a series of bank branches in Los Angeles and Kern counties in 2016, netting more than $85,000 in stolen money, has been sentenced to 387 months in federal prison.

          Gary Lamar Henry, a.k.a. “G-Thing,” 38, was given the 32-year, 4-month term on Monday by United States District Judge Robert H. Whaley.

          After a six-day trial in May 2018, Henry was found guilty of his role in bank robberies that occurred in Brentwood, Santa Monica, San Marino, Arcadia, South El Monte, Bakersfield, Stevenson Ranch and Hacienda Heights. The jury found Henry guilty of 11 felonies: one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, seven counts of bank robbery and three counts of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

          Between April 14, 2016 and October 7, 2016, Henry contacted his co-conspirators, organized the crews, planned the robberies, and gave his co-conspirators the guns for the robberies, according to the evidence presented at trial. Henry watched outside the bank branches while he sent his armed co-conspirators inside to rob them. On some occasions, the co-conspirators pointed the firearms at bank employees and customers. Though no bank employees or customers suffered physical injuries during the robberies, Henry’s actions placed innocent lives in danger and inflicted considerable emotional trauma on the dozens of victims present during the robberies, according to court documents. In total, the robberies netted Henry and his co-conspirators $85,354, according to the government’s sentencing memorandum.

          All of Henry’s co-defendants in the case already have been sentenced with three of them receiving prison terms in excess of 12 years.

          This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Los AngelesCounty Sheriff’s Department.

          This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Chemerinsky and Joseph D. Axelrad of the Violent and Organized Crime Section.