St. Louis man guilty in bank robberies

A St. Louis man has been found guilty in two area bank robberies.

After a one-day jury trial, Tyrice G. Royston, 36, was found guilty in federal court Wednesday of one count of bank robbery by force of violence in the March 2014 robbery of the First Commercial Bank in Essex, Missouri, according to a news release from the federal prosecutor's office in Cape Girardeau.

On May 13, a federal jury found Royston guilty in the May 20, 2014, robbery of the First Commercial Bank of Morley, Missouri, the release stated.

Royston, Pamela Lathon and Alexander Trotter were charged in the Morley robbery.

Royston, Lathon and Christopher Booker were charged in the Essex robbery.

In the Essex robbery, Royston and Booker leaped over the counter and forced the tellers to the floor, tying their wrists with zip ties. The two men then took money from the cash drawers, leaving the bank with $34,000, the release stated.

Shortly after the Morley robbery, a Missouri State Highway patrolman stopped the getaway vehicle and arrested Royston, Laython and Trotter, according to the release.

Evidence of the robbery, including the stolen money, was found in the car.

Lathon, Booker and Trotter all have pleaded guilty.

Trotter was sentenced in October to 97 months in federal prison; Lathon and Booker are awaiting sentencing, the release stated.

Royston faces a punishment of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the robberies, the release stated. His sentencing has been set for Aug. 25.

kwebster@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

599 Independence St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703