HAMMOND, Ind. (AP) — A federal jury has convicted a Gary man of armed robbery and a weapons charge in the slaying of a bank security guard last year, prosecutors said Thursday.
The jury found Hailey Gist-Holden, 26, guilty of armed robbery and using, carrying, brandishing and discharging a firearm during the June 11, 2021, robbery at First Midwest Bank in Gary, prosecutors said.
Gist-Holden was arrested a week later in Georgia.
Security guard Richard Castellana, 55, of Tinley Park, Illinois, died during the robbery.
The jury returned the verdict following a nine-day trial presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Philp Simon, prosecutors said.
Gist-Holden’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2023.
Co-defendants James Anthony King of Miami and Kenyon Hawkins pled guilty to armed bank robbery and murder resulting from the discharge of a firearm during the robbery, prosecutors said. Both are awaiting sentencing.
Police say Gist-Holden and King, armed with a handgun and rifle, stormed the bank and ambushed Castellana before he saw them coming. They allegedly fled with $9,771. Hawkins' alleged role wasn't clear.
The government alleged Gist-Holden carried out the bank robbery to bail out his semipro football team, the Illini Panthers.
Authorities said Gist-Holden needed money to pay his players, their hotel bills and rent on his Gary home. They allege Gist-Holden enlisted King, one of his football players, to assist in the robbery.
-
Caitlin Clark named 2025 WNBA All-Star Game Captain
Exciting news for Indiana Fever fans: Caitlin Clark has been named one of the captains for the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game.Two 19-year-old males found shot dead on north side of Indianapolis
Two men were found fatally shot on the north side of Indianapolis on Sunday morning. This follows a violent weekend in the city, with five fatalities from separate shootings reported.One dead, one injured in shooting at Thatcher Park
A shooting at Thatcher Park, on Indy's west side, left one person dead and another person critically injured Saturday evening, police said.2 dead in triple shooting on Indy's east side; 2 suspects in custody
Three people were shot on the east side of Indianapolis on Saturday, with two listed in critical condition. Police said two suspects have been taken into custody.