A convicted bank robber, Markham David Bond, has been found guilty by a federal jury in Los Angeles for the same crime that landed him in prison in the first place. Bond, 61, was convicted 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.
The incident occurred on August 18, 2023, when Bond robbed a Brinks courier at gunpoint in a Chase bank parking lot near LAX. He approached the armored vehicle driver, brandished a handgun, and demanded money. The courier complied out of fear, and Bond made off with $145,000 in cash.
Following his arrest on November 22, 2023, police found incriminating evidence linking Bond to the robbery, including cash from the heist hidden in a mini-refrigerator at his home, a firearm with ammunition, and the shirt he wore during the crime. The empty Brinks bag was also discovered in the getaway vehicle.
It was revealed that Bond had been released early from prison in 2022 on compassionate grounds after serving 26 years of a 46-year sentence for previous bank robbery and firearms offenses. Despite being given a second chance, Bond chose a path of violent crime and was on supervised release when he committed the robbery in 2023.
US Attorney Martin Estrada expressed disappointment in Bond’s actions, stating that violent offenders who use guns will be held accountable. Bond’s criminal history dates back to the 1980s and 1990s, including armed robbery, use of a firearm in a crime of violence, and conspiracy to distribute heroin.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, 2025, where Bond faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. The compassionate release program, which allows early prisoner release for extraordinary reasons, remains unclear in Bond’s case.
Despite being granted a second chance at life, Bond’s return to a life of crime serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of criminal behavior. The justice system will continue to protect the community by ensuring that violent offenders are held accountable for their actions.
