Donald Joseph West Faces Up to Life in Prison for Amarillo Bank Robbery

An Amarillo man faces up to life in prison after a jury convicted him of bank robbery and firearms offenses.

Donald Joseph West was convicted by a federal jury Monday on one count of aggravated bank robbery, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and one count of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The 49-year-old West faces a sentence of no less than 22 years and up to life in prison, as well as a $750,000 fine.

Donald West’s nephew, 43-year-old David James West was also convicted on one count of the unlawful sale and disposition of a firearm. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office presented evidence that on Monday, November 5^th, 2012, Donald West went into the FirstBank Southwest at 5701 Southwest 34^th Street in Amarillo wearing a mask, pointed a pistol at a teller, and demanded cash.

Donald West reportedly escaped with cash in a bag, and was arrested the next evening by Amarillo police and agents with the FBI.

When Donald West was arrested, authorities say they recovered a pistol that was given to him by David West shortly before the robbery.

Donald West is a convicted felon after committing aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in 1988, conspiracy to commit bank robbery and bank robbery in 1987, and evading detention in 2011.

Sentencing for both Donald and David West will take place June 4^th, 2013.