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LAFAYETTE - After four hours of deliberation Monday, a federal court jury convicted Criss Duncan of four charges stemming from the National City Bank, Leesburg, robbery in May, the South Bend Tribune reported today.
Duncan, of Shipshewana, was one of two armed men who robbed the bank of approximately $44,000. Duncan and his accomplice, Ralph Berkey Jr., were described as carrying assault-style rifles and wearing camouflage clothing and body armor. During a chase after the holdup, the two men exchanged gunfire with Milford town marshal Dave Hobbs. No one was injured.
Duncan was convicted of armed bank robbery, using a firearm during a crime of violence, being a convicted felon in possession of a gun and arson. The first three charges arose from the May robbery. Duncan's prior felony conviction is for voluntary manslaughter in Elkhart County in 1983.
The arson charge relates to Duncan and Berkey burning the van they used for the robbery before switching to another vehicle for their escape.
In October, Berkey pleaded guilty in an agreement with the government that required him to testify against Duncan.
Berkey's sentencing is in January. Duncan's sentencing is Feb. 27.
Duncan's trial began Dec. 1 with jury selection. Testimony was finished Thursday and final arguments and deliberations were Monday.
U.S. District Judge Allen Sharp moved the trial to Lafayette from South Bend over the objection of federal prosecutors because of the amount of media coverage.
