West Richland bank robber, 48, says he is sorry

KENNEWICK -- A 48-year-old man with a history of robbing banks was desperate when he went on a Tri-City crime spree last August, his attorney said Thursday.

Troy Lee Fuller "truly is remorseful" and understands that a 19-year prison term is appropriate for his terrible choices, Sal Mendoza Jr. told the court.

"His desperation resulted in incredibly poor choices. That does not excuse in any shape or form what he did, but for a 45-plus-year-old man with a series of violent felonies in his past, it's next to impossible for his living," Mendoza said. "These things don't happen in a vacuum. ... That doesn't excuse it but you have to take it into consideration."

Fuller, of West Richland, robbed two banks and a drug store in one week. He previously pleaded guilty in Benton County Superior Court to three counts of first-degree robbery and one count of threats to bomb or injure property.

Mendoza said his client didn't want to drag the bank tellers and store clerk through a trial, where they would be forced to relive the crimes.

Fuller apologized to his victims, family and the community.

"I'd like to point out that in my obviously unsuccessful criminal career, that I've never actually hurt anybody, and I hope that means something here," Fuller told the court.

He added that while behind bars, he will take advantage of drug rehabilitation and 12-step programs offered by the state Department of Corrections.

The lengthy prison term was agreed to by Mendoza and Deputy Prosecutor Terry Bloor.

Fuller's criminal history includes a 1984 conviction for burglary and three bank robberies between 1985 and 1993, all in Arizona. The robberies were prosecuted in federal court.

He was released from a federal prison in December 2008, where he was serving time for a supervised release violation. He had spent a total of 22 years behind bars, according to a letter he wrote to the Herald just five days after his release.

Fuller told the Herald that he'd end up back in prison because there's no help for ex-cons. He complained about not receiving money from a special fund established to help inmates once they are released, and claimed he was eligible for up to $500.

In the letter, Fuller said he didn't want a handout but rather a chance to stay out of prison. The release money would have helped him buy bus passes and clothes at Goodwill to wear on a job search.

Eight months and two days later, Fuller robbed the Bank of the West branch on Kennewick's Canal Drive. That was on Aug. 18, and on Aug. 21, he robbed U.S. Bank in downtown Kennewick.

During the bank robberies he gave a note to the teller and demanded "loose 100s and 50s," court documents said.

On Aug. 25, Fuller walked into a Richland Rite Aid store and told the manager he had a bomb strapped to his chest, documents said. The manager gave Fuller $700 from the store safe after she saw a black object on his body.

Bloor said it "was quite a terrifying time for banks and bank tellers" and lasted nine days until Fuller was caught Aug. 26 at a Pasco motel.

Fuller has had "a tremendously difficult life" with a history that Mendoza said he opted not to disclose to save his client from embarrassment.

"It was not his intent to hurt anyone, even though that is exactly what he did," Mendoza said. "I think this was a good result, as much as 228 months could be a good result for both him and the community. And I think he sees it as that."

Fuller has been ordered to have no contact with any of the victims.

Mendoza requested a hearing Feb. 18 to address restitution. According to court documents, Fuller could end up owing $790 to Rite Aid and $1,000 to U.S. Bank.

Bail reduced for man accused of sex abuse

KENNEWICK -- Bail for a Benton City man accused of sexually abusing five girls at different times over the last seven years was reduced to $50,000.

Bob Trainor's attorney argued for the lower bail amount, saying the 46-year-old man had been in jail since Jan. 14.

"Judge, I feel strongly that this bail should have been reduced some time ago," lawyer Larry Stephenson told Judge Robert Swisher.

Trainor has worked at Hanford for 21 years and is a volunteer captain with Benton Fire District 1, his lawyer said. He's been with the district since 2000 and was their Fire Officer of the Year in 2008.

Stephenson told the court that it would be good for Trainor to get out because "as far as we know he has his job." He added that Trainor had a "perfectly clean record" until these allegations surfaced.

Trainor pleaded innocent to two counts of first-degree rape of a child and one count each of second-degree rape of a child, first-degree child molestation and second-degree child molestation.

Trial is set for March 15.

According to court documents, one girl said the sexual abuse began in 2002 and escalated to sexual intercourse four years later. The other girls reported incidents beginning in 2006, documents said.

Deputy Prosecutor Anita Petra had asked Swisher to keep the bail at $200,000, saying the most recent alleged abuse was just one month ago.

"The victims are extremely afraid of what the defendant is going to do when he gets out," Petra said. "The victims believe he is a danger to them."

Stephenson responded that numerous friends of Trainor's all describe him as "a good person."

Trainor "denies these things" and is not a flight risk, said Stephenson, who asked for a maximum $10,000 bail.

Swisher decided that given the nature of the charges, $50,000 was appropriate.

-- Kristin M. Kraemer: 509-582-1531; kkraemer@tricityherald.com