On December 16, 2009, Anotche Wix, a twenty-eight year old New Orleans resident, was sentenced in federal court to over fourteen years in federal prison for attempted armed bank robbery, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to an attempted bank robbery and conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to an attempted bank robbery. U. S. District Judge Ivan L. R. Lemelle also ordered Wix to be placed on five years supervised probation upon release.
On September 22, 2009, following a two day trial, Wix was found guilty as charged. Evidence was produced at trial that showed on February 14, 2008, Wix and his co-conspirator, Mark Johnson, attempted to rob the First Bank & Trust located in the 4500 block of General DeGaulle Drive in New Orleans.
Wix allegedly entered the bank carrying a bag and after doing so, he pulled a ski mask over his face and announced that the bank was being robbed. Johnson then allegedly entered the bank behind him, carrying an assault rifle. An off duty New Orleans police officer working a security detail drew his service weapon and shot at Wix and Johnson. They fled the bank and while doing so, Johnson dropped his rifle outside. Wix had been grazed by one of the officer’s weapons and investigators were able to recover numerous blood and tissue samples from the scene. Johnson’s rifle was recovered and was found to be loaded with one round inside the chamber.
Johnson was later located and arrested in a nearby neighborhood and Wix later turned himself in.
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