LOS ANGELES, CA- A man who was freed early from federal prison under a “compassionate release” program is headed back where he belongs after being convicted of the same crime for which he was initially locked up,” the New York Post reports.
Markham David Bond, 61, was found guilty by a Los Angeles federal jury last week on one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to a release from the US Department of Justice.
According to the DOJ, Bond was arrested in connection with robbing a Brinks courier at gunpoint in a band parking lot near the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in August 2023. He has been in federal custody since November 2023.
“After being given a second chance in life, this defendant sadly chose a path of violent crime,” said US Attorney Martin Estrada. “Through our strong partnerships with federal and local law enforcement, we will continue to use our resources to protect our community by holding accountable violent offenders who use guns.”
Investigators produced evidence during the five-day trial, which showed that on August 18, 2023, Bond stole approximately $145,000 in cash from the Brinks armored carrier outside a Chase bank adjacent to LAX. After the armored vehicle parked in the bank parking lot, one of the employees exited the truck with a blue duffle bag on a rolling cart containing cash. Bond accosted the driver, pointed a gun at him, and demanded the money.
“Fearing for his life, the Brinks employee dropped the duffle bag. Bond then ordered the victim to get down on the ground. After the victim complied with this order, Bond grabbed the blue Brinks duffle bag [and] then fled the area,” the release read.
When Bond was arrested, police seized a .40 caliber pistol containing 10 rounds of ammunition, the shirt worn during the robbery, and cash hidden inside a mini fridge. Police also found the getaway car parked around the block from Bond’s residence, the release read. Police found the empty Brinks bag and the hat Bond wore during the robbery inside the car, along with other evidence tying Bond to the heist.
Bond is a career criminal with felony convictions going back to the 1980s and 90s, including for Hobbs Act robbery, armed bank robbery, use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Since he is a convicted felon, Bond is not permitted to possess firearms or ammunition.
The release explained that Bond, sentenced to 46 years and 10 months in prison in January 1995, was granted compassionate release in January 2022 and was released early. He was still on supervised release when he committed the Brinks robbery. While California’s compassionate release program was designed for terminally ill patients, it is unknown what Bond’s circumstances were that merited such a release.
The US Attorney’s Office explained how Bond came to be arrested:
“Operation Safe Cities establishes strategic enforcement priorities with an emphasis on prosecuting the most significant drivers of violent crime. Across this region, the most damaging and horrific crimes are committed by a relatively small number of particularly violent individuals. This strategic enforcement approach is expected to increase the number of arrests, prosecutions, and convictions of recidivists engaged in the most dangerous conduct. It is designed to improve public safety across the region by targeting crimes involving illicit guns, prohibited persons possessing firearms, or robbery crews that cause havoc and extensive losses to retail establishments.”
The FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division collaborated on the investigation of the Brinks armored car robbery.
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