Robbers From July 2017 Katy Bank Heist Are Sentenced

HOUSTON, TX — The final two people involved in the July 2017 armed robbery of First Community Credit Union in Katy have been convicted and will serve time in federal prison.

The jury deliberated for approximately two hours following a four-day trial before convicting Walter Freeman Jordan aka “Wacko,” 30, and Johnathon Nico Wise, 26, both of Houston.

Both were charged and convicted of aiding and abetting aggravated bank robbery. Jordan was also convicted of aiding and abetting the unlawful use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence.

Five others - Jaylen Christine Loring, 21, Daryl Carlton Anderson, 32, Deandre Bendard Santee, 26, Raymond Demond Pace, 20, and Zelmer Samuel Bonner, 26, pleaded guilty prior to trial.

The jury heard that on July 25, 2017, a stolen black Toyota Tundra drove to the front of the First Community Credit Union located at 23120 Cinco Ranch Boulevard in Katy, and that once they arrived, Jordan, Bonner and Pace went inside the bank and ordered everyone to get on the ground.

While inside, Jordan and Bonner jumped the teller counter and demanded credit union employees to open the teller drawers.

When one of those employees did not comply quickly enough, Bonner punched the employee in the head while yelling “hurry up!”

Pace kept customers and employees on the ground during the robbery. Soon thereafter, he yelled “the cops are down the street, let’s go!”

The robbers were communicating with the lookouts - Wise, Santee, Anderson and Loring - outside of the credit union via cell phone during the crime.

The robbers ran to the Toyota Tundra and fled the scene along with three other vehicles – a silver Chevrolet Malibu, silver Nissan Rogue and a maroon Volkswagen Jetta.

Loring was caught and arrested a short time later in the Malibu, as was Anderson who was driving the Jetta.

Shortly after their arrest, officers also stopped the Rogue and arrested Santee and Wise.

Authorities pursued the Tundra for 19 miles, which was travelling at speeds up to 120 mph east on Interstate 10, and eventually caught up with them at the North Post Oaks Lofts apartment complex in Houston.

Officers recovered a Springfield semi-automatic pistol from the Toyota Tundra as well as a Stoeger Cougar .40 Caliber semi-automatic pistol from inside the apartment where Jordan had been hiding.

During the trial, the jury heard from Loring and Anderson who testified about the robbery plan and what transpired.

Additional testimony came from more than 10 officers as well as an expert who explained how the cell phones were identified and used during the crime.

All of the defendants face up to 25 years for the bank robbery charge.

Bonner, Pace and Jordan also face an additional seven years for the firearms conviction which must be served consecutively to any other prison term imposed.

With the exception of Loring, who was permitted to remain on bond, all have been and will remain in custody pending their respective sentencing hearings.

The case is the result of the Houston Law Enforcement Violent Crime Initiative created to proactively fight violent crime across the Greater Houston area.

Image: Shutterstock