Big Money Bandits will face gang-related charges

By Nick Wilson
nwilson@thetribunenews.com

Six men from the Los Angeles area accused of conspiring to rob a San Luis Obispo bank will face gang-related charges, Judge Christopher G. Money ruled Thursday.

Money reversed a decision by Judge John Trice in January to throw out charges that the men committed the alleged crime to benefit their gangs.

Prosecutor Gregory Devitt used Los Angeles Police Department officers to testify that the men are connected with various sects of the Crips gang in Los Angeles.

The six defendants are accused of conspiring Dec. 13 to rob Los Padres Bank in San Luis Obispo's Laguna Village Shopping Center; all have pleaded not guilty. They are Leonard Jones, Lionel Woods, Ronald Simpson, Shawn Quinney, Rodney Mitchell and Damorial Lovely.

Jones, who investigators say was the ringleader of the group, also faces charges of robbing the Downey Savings and Loan bank in San Luis Obispo on Nov. 21. He has pleaded not guilty to that crime as well.

Defense attorneys in the case say they’re considering filing a legal challenge to Money’s decision to hold the gang enhancements over to trial.

The gang charges could add five years to the sentences of all of the men except Jones if each is convicted.

The possible gang enhancement for Jones is 10 years because he is accused of robbery, which is considered a more serious crime than conspiracy to rob.

Jury selection in the trial is set to begin April 8.