Man awaiting sentencing for bank robbery at Sumter County Jail assaults guard, gets extra seven years
Assault charge earns bank robber extra seven years
By Jon Gosa
AMERICUS — A bank robber awaiting sentencing in the Sumter County Jail earned himself an extra seven years in prison after assaulting a guard, according to United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Charles Peeler.
United States District Court Judge Leslie J. Abrams sentenced Christopher Belt, 27, of Columbus, to 84 months imprisonment for the offense of assault on a federal employee. Belt had pleaded guilty to the offense on Dec. 12, 2017.
Abrams imposed the sentence on Belt to be served consecutively with the already 106 months that he was sentenced to in August of 2017 for a bank robbery charge.
“The evidence supporting the plea showed that in April 2016, Mr. Belt was remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service as a result of his commission of an armed bank robbery,” a press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia said. “On Aug. 18, 2017, Mr. Belt was being held at the Sumter County Jail while awaiting sentencing on the bank robbery charge. Mr. Belt became involved in a verbal dispute with another inmate.
“A corrections officer attempted to calm the situation by sending Mr. Belt to a different area of the jail. Rather than relocate as instructed, Mr. Belt rushed toward the other inmate to try to make physical contact with him. The officer put her arm out in an attempt to block Mr. Belt’s advance, and her arm was broken. The injury required immediate surgical correction.”
Abrams sentenced Belt to the additional 84 months, and as a result Belt now faces a total sentence of 190 months imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay more than $28,000 in restitution related to the officer’s medical bills incurred as a result of the injury he inflicted.
“This office is dedicated to ensuring that the correctional facilities which house those we prosecute are safe places in which punishment and rehabilitation can take place,” Peeler said. “Violence against officers or other inmates will not be tolerated. Our office will do everything we can to see that such acts result in additional jail time being imposed and that those responsible for the costs be made to bear them.”
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, public information officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
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