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Australian Corey Donaldson gets five years for bizarre US bank robbery Australian Corey Donaldson gets five years for bizarre US bank robbery
(2 months later)
Australian author Corey Donaldson has been jailed for more than five years for an audacious bank robbery in the US in which he described himself as a Robin Hood – taking money to give to the poor.Australian author Corey Donaldson has been jailed for more than five years for an audacious bank robbery in the US in which he described himself as a Robin Hood – taking money to give to the poor.
Donaldson robbed a Wyoming bank "lone wolf style" of $140,000 so he could give wads of cash to America's homeless and protest at how banks preyed on customers, he said.Donaldson robbed a Wyoming bank "lone wolf style" of $140,000 so he could give wads of cash to America's homeless and protest at how banks preyed on customers, he said.
The chubby 40-year-old relationship author wept at his sentencing in the US district court in Wyoming on Thursday.The chubby 40-year-old relationship author wept at his sentencing in the US district court in Wyoming on Thursday.
During sentencing, he told stories from his childhood growing up in the Victorian town of Macclesfield, including when a bank foreclosed on his family's home.During sentencing, he told stories from his childhood growing up in the Victorian town of Macclesfield, including when a bank foreclosed on his family's home.
"That year the bank that took the house recorded record profits," Donaldson, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and leg shackles, told the judge, Alan Johnson."That year the bank that took the house recorded record profits," Donaldson, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and leg shackles, told the judge, Alan Johnson.
Johnson opened his sentencing remarks by describing Donaldson as out of the ordinary and possessing a gift for telling a story.Johnson opened his sentencing remarks by describing Donaldson as out of the ordinary and possessing a gift for telling a story.
On New Year's Eve 2012, Donaldson donned a driver's cap, blazer, tie and sunglasses. Speaking with a South African accent, he terrorised the manager of the US Bank branch in the ski resort town of Jackson Hole for 90 minutes.On New Year's Eve 2012, Donaldson donned a driver's cap, blazer, tie and sunglasses. Speaking with a South African accent, he terrorised the manager of the US Bank branch in the ski resort town of Jackson Hole for 90 minutes.
Among his many lurid claims, Donaldson said Mexican drug gang cartel members had placed bombs in the snow outside and would blow up the bank and then hunt down and kill the manager if $2 million was not handed over.Among his many lurid claims, Donaldson said Mexican drug gang cartel members had placed bombs in the snow outside and would blow up the bank and then hunt down and kill the manager if $2 million was not handed over.
The manager emptied out the bank's safe and teller drawers, giving Donaldson $140,700.The manager emptied out the bank's safe and teller drawers, giving Donaldson $140,700.
The manager needed psychiatric treatment following the incident.The manager needed psychiatric treatment following the incident.
Whether Donaldson then travelled to homeless shelters in Nevada, California and Oregon handing out wads of cash to America's down and out is not certain, although a $15,000 receipt from a Salvation Army facility in Nevada was presented during the trial. Only $16,000 of the $140,700 was recovered.Whether Donaldson then travelled to homeless shelters in Nevada, California and Oregon handing out wads of cash to America's down and out is not certain, although a $15,000 receipt from a Salvation Army facility in Nevada was presented during the trial. Only $16,000 of the $140,700 was recovered.
Prosecutor Todd Shugart said when Donaldson's chauffeur-driven SUV was pulled over in Utah on the day of his arrest $11,000 was found in envelopes addressed to Donaldson's siblings in Victoria.Prosecutor Todd Shugart said when Donaldson's chauffeur-driven SUV was pulled over in Utah on the day of his arrest $11,000 was found in envelopes addressed to Donaldson's siblings in Victoria.
Shugart was also told Donaldson was staying in a "swanky" $347-a-night Salt Lake City hotel and was so well known there, staff new him by his alias Doobie Zonks.Shugart was also told Donaldson was staying in a "swanky" $347-a-night Salt Lake City hotel and was so well known there, staff new him by his alias Doobie Zonks.
"He certainly sought to benefit himself in this criminal scheme," Shugart said."He certainly sought to benefit himself in this criminal scheme," Shugart said.
Donaldson, who represented himself, told the jury at his trial in May he had pulled off the heist to help the homeless and to protest at how banks preyed on customers.Donaldson, who represented himself, told the jury at his trial in May he had pulled off the heist to help the homeless and to protest at how banks preyed on customers.
He hoped at least one juror would agree with him and set him free in a blaze of publicity. But they found him guilty after just 50 minutes of deliberations.He hoped at least one juror would agree with him and set him free in a blaze of publicity. But they found him guilty after just 50 minutes of deliberations.
Donaldson, an author of relationship books, had lived in the US for 20 years as a green card holder. But when his sentence is complete he will be deported to Australia.Donaldson, an author of relationship books, had lived in the US for 20 years as a green card holder. But when his sentence is complete he will be deported to Australia.
He has already begun pitching his heist story to publishers in the hope of book and film deals.He has already begun pitching his heist story to publishers in the hope of book and film deals.
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