Source: United States Department of Justice News
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas man made his initial appearance in federal court yesterday for allegedly robbing two banks and seven other businesses at gunpoint over a two-month period.
Alcede Molyer Melonson Jr. (61) was arrested on February 28, 2022. He is charged in a criminal complaint with seven counts of interference with commerce by robbery, two counts of bank robbery, and nine counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts ordered Melonson to be held in custody pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 6, 2022.
According to allegations in the complaint, from December 26, 2021 to February 24, 2022, Melonson robbed three gas station convenience stores, two department stores, two pharmacies, and two banks in the Las Vegas area. During each robbery, Melonson demanded money from the cashier or teller while displaying a .357 caliber revolver. In total, Melonson obtained approximately $5,238 from the nine armed robberies.
Melonson has multiple prior felony convictions, including convictions for robbery and burglary. At the time of the alleged robbery spree in Las Vegas, he was on parole after serving a 25-year prison sentence for robbery in California.
The statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison for each count of interference with commerce by robbery, and 20 years in prison for each count of bank robbery. The statutory minimum penalty is seven years in prison for each count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. In addition to imprisonment, Melonson also faces a period of supervised release, a fine, and restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge W.M. Herrington for the FBI made the announcement.
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bianca Pucci is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###