Jury to be chosen for man accused in armed robberies

Opening statements expected today

Jury selection is scheduled to begin this morning in a Texarkana, Texas, federal court for a man accused of committing a string of robberies across East Texas in November 2015.

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AP

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Bobby Wayne Lance, 50, has been in custody since he was arrested in Red River County by members of the Bowie County Sheriff's Office working with the Red River County Sheriff's Office and FBI. Investigators with the BCSO identified him as the suspect in the armed robbery on Nov. 14, 2015, of Carter's Store and RV Park in DeKalb, Texas. A federal indictment handed down Dec. 16, 2015, in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas accuses Lance of the Nov. 8, 2015, robbery of the Cinemark Movies 8 in Paris, Texas, in Lamar County, the Nov. 17, 2015, armed robbery of the First National Bank of Mount Vernon and a Nov. 17, 2015, armed carjacking of a Ford F-150 pickup.

Lance allegedly left the bank with more than $73,000. The cash and a gun allegedly used in the robberies were reportedly found during a search of his home in November 2015. Counts one, three, five and six of Lance's indictment allege robbery. Counts two, four, seven and eight of Lance's indictment allege carrying and possession of firearms and ammunition during and in furtherance of a violent crime.

U.S. District Judge Robert Schroeder III recently denied motions by Lance's defense lawyer, Jeff Harrelson of Texarkana, to sever the cases against Lance, suppress evidence collected during the search of his home, suppress witness identifications of him and to dismiss certain counts of his indictment. The case is scheduled for jury selection this morning in Texarkana's downtown federal building. Opening statements and witness testimony are expected to begin today as well.

Lance faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 or both on counts one, three and five, which allege robberies. If convicted of counts two, four, seven and eight, which allege carrying a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, Lance faces a minimum of five years on each count, which must be served consecutively to any other term imposed. If the firearm is brandished, as Lance is alleged to have done, the minimum term rises to seven years. Count six, which alleges carjacking, is punishable by up to 15 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 or both. Lance remains in federal custody.

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