Bank robber gets 5 years probation
A man charged in the July robbery of a Wachovia Bank at 507 Coleman Blvd. in Mount Pleasant was sentenced to probation Wednesday.
Lewis Gerald Thompson, 44, was indicted for strong-armed robbery and entering a bank with intent to steal. He potentially faced up to 30 years in prison and has at least two strong arm-associated convictions on his record dating to the 1980s and '90s, the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office said.
Circuit Court Judge Roger Young sentenced Thompson to 15 years in prison, suspended to five years of probation. He included the stipulation Thompson continue in a two-year intensive crime treatment program.
Thompson, an Awendaw resident, entered the bank branch and showed tellers a note threatening violence but never showed a weapon, police said at the time. He left with about $600.
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Comments
This article has 17 comment(s)
Posted by abitskeptical on January 8, 2009 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a system we have.
This 44 yr old w/ 2 prior strong arm convictions is sent home for 5 yrs of probation....& the Wando teens get 10 yrs in the pen.
Am I missing something here?
Posted by SCVOTER on January 8, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Does this make sense to anyone? 5 years probation for strong armed robbery, and it isn't even a first offense?
Posted by ms_lady2u on January 8, 2009 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Say it aint so!!
Posted by majorjohnson on January 8, 2009 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Holy cow! Bank robber, 2 priors, committing a new crime every 10 years for 30 years, 5 years probation? Pity he didn't have a bag of grass in his pocket, they'd have tossed the book at him then.
Posted by Madison on January 8, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Honorable Roger M. Young, Sr.
Charleston County Judicial Center
100 Broad St., Suite 368
Charleston, SC 29401
OFFICE: (843) 958-2015
FAX: (843) 958-5108
When this career criminal finally hurts someone, their blood will be on Mr. Young's hands. What an absolute joke! 3 strikes and your out. This man should only be allowed out of jail if he has his hands cut off. That way we can be sure he won't rob again. Please contact the "honorable" Roger Young and express your thoughts.
Posted by coahtrtaylor on January 8, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate to say really ugly things about someone, but my mind wonders is there a payoff of some sort here? I cannot believe that anyone, a judge, a lawyer, a jury of peers could in good conscience allow this person to walk among us. As Madison points out what is going to happen when this man hurts or kills someone? Most criminals escalate in their crimes, once they know that they are getting away with what they do. So he didn't show a weapon, does anyone posting here believe he didn't have one? Shame on you Judge Young, what lesson are you sending out? Pathetic.
Posted by abitskeptical on January 8, 2009 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems that the 3 strikes bit applies only to drug cases.
Get caught w/ pot more than twice...& away you go for 50 yrs or maybe life.
Get caught w/ a bottle of Oxycontin for which you don't have a Rx & off you go for 50 yrs.
Threaten & rob a bank 3 times...& shucks, just go home & take an intensive crime course & everything will be OK.
Posted by RTC on January 8, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Abitskeptical, same judge, same solicitor. This is totally wrong.
Something stinks very strongly here.
Posted by westashleyboi on January 8, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You have got to be kidding me. Please tell tell me there are some extenuating circumstances like this crackhead is confined to a wheelchair.
"continue in a two-year intensive crime treatment program."
Wow, that sounds like total BS. Who is paying for this?
I hope at least Thompson is, and not by check. If he pays by cash make sure there is no dye pack ink on the bills.
This is just what is of note per Charleston County Courts.
1999 he did federal time for armed robbery (probably robbed a bank)
2003 check fraud 30 days
2004 credit card fraud 1 year
2004 possession crack cocaine
2004 DUS convicted with a bench warrant issued (that means he didn't show for court)
2005 DUS convicted with a bench warrant issued
February 2008 petit larceny 15 days
Judge Young, now how is this scumbag appropriate for probation?
How many more citizens do you want this scumbag to victimize? Scumbags like this do not stop just because they are caught. EVERY DAY they lie, cheat, steal, and harm anyone that crosses their path. Thompson will not stop until HE wishes to. And don't blame it on the crack. HE chooses to do what he does.
Why should citizens have faith in the legal system when this is the result?
Why should police officers risk their lives or waste their time on the paperwork if you are just going to let them go.
I cannot begin to imagine man hours by cops and court employees that you WASTED Judge Young.
Posted by westashleyboi on January 8, 2009 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This guy is 44 frickin years old and his been breaking the law since at least the 80's. How did the solicitor go for this? Props to the defense attorney.
This certainly is not doing Probation any favors buy putting them in charge of this loser. You cant blame them when he robs another bank or steals some old lady's checks and wipes her out.
What happens when he screws up again?
How about Double Secret Probation and a two-year SUPER intensive crime treatment program.
Posted by abitskeptical on January 8, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RTC-well, unfortunately I think the only statement I can make about this solicitor's office is to expect inconsistency, double standards & excuses for not doing the job properly.
Furthermore, the judiciary is really screwed up.
However, the judges almost always accommodate the requests & recommendations of the prosecutors, so it sorta lands back in Wilson's lap.
Posted by TheSafetyMan on January 8, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Stunning, absoulutely stunning. Did he get to keep the $600?
Posted by eyfigueroa on January 8, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
abitskep: feeling better?
I'm sorry, but why does this career criminal get probation with a rap sheet like this when others are given what is tantamount to a life sentence for lesser first time offenses?
Prime example why we no longer have a Justice System, it's become simply a Legal System.
Posted by abitskeptical on January 8, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, thanks, eyfig...I actually put on "real" clothes & shoes today! Yipee.
Still feel tired, but definitely have more energy than the last few days.
Looks like Mr. PRS got booted this morning, as well as JimIs. I missed the grand finale hoopla that caused the booting though. That's what I get for feeling better & spending so much time away from the computer!
Back to the article-
I'm not so sure you aren't being a bit generous to even call it a "Legal" system. More than a little something is rotten in the state of "Denmark". This case is outrageous.
Posted by miki on January 8, 2009 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems I always notice the really light, uncalled for sentences coming from Young. This is your new Watchdog report, P&C! What a bunch of BS.
Posted by abitskeptical on January 8, 2009 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes miki-as I recall there has been at least one(probably more) other case where Young gave what seemed to be an inappropriately light sentence.
However, as I said earlier, the prosecutors usually have a heavy influence over the sentence. I wonder how that influence factored in this case & others. I wonder what the prosecution "recommended" in this case.
Posted by BPFROM843 on January 9, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
dam looks like bank robbing is a safe bet i guess as long as you dont use a gun you get off dam drug dealers better switch now b4 they all get 25 years for an ounce of cocaine