Accused Bank Robber Among Tyler Indictments

TYLER – An accused Tyler bank robber is among those indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury.

*Eddie Ray Myers, 61, of Searcy, Arkansas, who is pictured here, was indicted and charged with bank robbery. If convicted, he could receive up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, Myers is alleged to have robbed the BBVA Compass bank on south Broadway in Tyler last month. Crimestopper tips led to Myers’ arrest on July 23.

The robbery happened just before 12:45 the afternoon of July 14th. Bank employees said that a white male in his sixties to early seventies walked up to a teller inside the bank and handed the employee a note. The note advised the teller that it was a bank robbery, that the teller should give him the cash, and that he had a gun inside his bag. The suspect did not display a weapon during the course of the robbery. The teller complied with his demand and gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then walked out of the bank

Myers was arrested by Precinct 5 constables. They were doing surveillance when they saw Myers enter a house in northern Smith County. Deputies later pulled him over and arrested him. He was taken into custody without incident. Shortly after his arrest he was taken to East Texas Medical center after complaining of chest pains. Myers was on parole in Arkansas, but was living in Tyler.

Other Indictments:

*Christopher John Hunnicutt, 38, of Tyler, was indicted and charged with perjury. If convicted, he could receive up to 5 years in federal prison.

*A superseding indictment was issued as to David Culpepper, 33, of Simms, Texas. Culpepper was originally indicted in June by a federal grand jury and charged with simple possession of methamphetamine. The indictment added an additional charge of possession of a firearm on a federal facility. If convicted, he could receive up to a year in
federal prison.

*Benjamin David Hiller, 31, of Texarkana, Arkansas was indicted and charged with driving while intoxicated, repeat offender. If convicted, he could receive up to one year in federal prison and suspension of driving privileges on special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States.

*Glenda Shirley, 66, of Winfield, Texas was indicted and charged with theft of public money. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

*B.J. Baydowicz, aka Betty Jean Ellis, 67, of Kilgore, Texas, was indicted and charged with making a false statement or representation of a material fact in an application for payment; fraudulent use of a Social Security Number to obtain Social Security benefits payments; making a false statement in application for Social benefits; theft from the U.S. government; and making a false statement. If convicted, she could receive up to 10 years in federal prison.