Robbery suspect cased Alcoa bank
By Mark Boxleyof The Daily Times Staff
Originally published: July 24. 2008 3:01AM
Last modified: July 24. 2008 12:03AM
A Louisville man arrested by FBI agents Tuesday on suspicion of attempted bank robbery has been charged in federal court with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and delivery of a Schedule II substance.
According to information from the United States Attorney's Office, the man, Christopher Joseph Levreault, 30, could also face a federal charge of attempted bank robbery.
In a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Knoxville, the basis of the charges is explained in depth. The FBI special agent who prepared the complaint reported that a confidential informant arranged a meeting between Levreault and an undercover officer from the Vonore Police Department.
"During a recorded meeting (the officer) and Christopher Levreault agreed to meet at a later time for the purchase of a sample of crack cocaine and stolen guns," the complaint alleged.
That meeting took place later in Vonore, where Levreault is accused of delivering a quantity of crack cocaine to the officer for $100.
On Tuesday, the complaint states that the confidential informant contacted the Vonore undercover officer "and advised him that Levreault was planning on conducting an armed robbery for the same day," the complaint said.
That same day, the informant contacted the FBI and told agents that Levreault was planning to rob a SunTrust Bank in the Maryville area using a .38-caliber revolver. Levreault drove by a SunTrust Bank on Hall Road in Alcoa and allegedly said "it looked like a fortress" before returning to a residence in Louisville.
The man then reportedly went to a SunTrust Bank in a Kroger grocery store on Kingston Pike in Knoxville where he entered the business wearing dark sunglasses and a brown baseball cap in the direction of the bank branch.
"As Levreault exited the store he was detained (by law enforcement officers)," the complaint said. "(An agent) asked Levreault if he had anything on him and Levreault replied that he had a gun in his front waistband."
The gun, identified as a Charter Arms model undercover .38 special, was allegedly found in a manila envelope in Levreault's waistband. The gun was loaded with two spent shells and a hollow-point bullet, the complaint alleged.
Officers from the Maryville Police Department and Blount County Sheriff's Office assisted with the investigation most of the day Tuesday, according to information from the FBI.
Levreault was being held without bond in the Blount County Jail late Wednesday on three attachments for contempt.
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