3 Sentenced For Violent Bank Robbery: U.S. Attorney

ATLANTA, GA — Three defendants were sentenced for violent takeover robberies of two businesses in Gwinnett County, according to a release from the Justice Department. Lenard Gibbs, Kyre Campbell and Benita Alveranga were sentenced for the robberies at a Loan Max store and a PNC Bank branch on Nov. 3, 2016.

The release says on that day, Gibbs and Campbell robbed a Loan Max store at gunpoint. Gibbs pointed a gun in the faces of two employees, demanded all of the money in the safe and got away with the cash.

Later that day, Gibbs, Campbell and Alveranga, Campbell's girlfriend, robbed a PNC Bank, the release says. During the robbery, Gibbs repeatedly hit a teller with his gun while telling her to quickly empty her drawer. He stole the cash and all three ran away.

Campbell and Alveranga were captured soon after, but Gibbs got away. A multi-agency investigation led to Gibbs' capture three weeks later, the release says.

Gibbs, 36, of Atlanta, was sentenced to 59 years and seven months in prison followed by five years of probation and must pay restitution of $3,089.

Campbell, 24, of Lilburn, pleaded guilty to brandishing a firearm during the bank robbery of a PNC Bank on Jan. 4, 2019, and was sentenced to seven years in prison, five years of probation and to pay $3,089 in restitution.

Alveranga, 25, of Lilburn, pleaded guilty to covering up a felony and was sentenced to one year, one day in prison and one year of probation, and must pay $3,089 in restitution.

"The takeover-style robberies were designed to terrify employees and customers," said U.S. Attorney Byung J. Pak in the release. "These violent criminals are off the streets – in Gibbs’ case for decades to come. We are committed to keep our communities safe from violence and seek justice for the victims of these crimes."

The FBI's Special Agent in Charge of Atlanta, Chris Hacker, said nobody should ever be terrorized, physically or emotionally. "Thanks to the assistance from our local law enforcement partners, these three criminals won’t be able to wreak harm on any other innocent citizens for a long time," he said.