Attorney: Former teacher realizes mistakes

HUNTINGTON -- An attorney for Melissa A. Brown, a former art teacher who pleaded guilty to helping her brother rob two banks in April, believes her generosity led to her involvement in the heists.

Defense attorney John H. Tinney Jr. said Brown was trying to help her brother with a problem.

"At the time she had good intentions but made bad decisions," he said. "She is a young lady who made a terrible mistake and realizes that."

Brown pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of aiding and abetting bank robbery in connection with an April 15 robbery at City National Bank in Charleston and an April 21 robbery at First Sentry Bank in Barboursville. She admitted driving her brother, Jeremy Mark Brown, from the scene of both banks after he allegedly robbed them.

The two were arrested on I-64 after the Barboursville robbery.

FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Long testified a witness spotted the duo's red Chevrolet Cavalier leave the bank. The witness followed the car onto Interstate 64 and observed Brown's brother unwrap a scarf from his face. That assistance led to the arrests.

Long testified investigators recovered $4,256 from the Cavalier's glove box. That was one dollar shy of the total taken from the Barboursville bank.

Brown's plea agreement forces her to pay back at least part of the $2,304 stolen from the Charleston bank. She paid that amount in full after Thursday's hearing, her attorneys said.

Defense attorney Sean W. Cook fought for Brown's conditional release from jail, arguing his client does not pose a danger. He said she has accepted responsibility, pledged to cooperate with authorities and promised to pay restitution in full.

Federal prosecutor Lisa G. Johnston did not object to Brown's release, and U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers granted the request.

Brown was ordered to stay with her parents in Louisa, Ky., until her Oct. 14 sentencing date. She will be confined to the residence and will be monitored electronically.

Jeremy Mark Brown is scheduled to stand trial Aug. 19.

Melissa Brown was an art teacher at Stonewall Jackson Middle School in Charleston. She has been suspended without pay since her arrest, said Jim Withrow, general counsel for Kanawha County Schools. He anticipates the school board will consider her termination at its next regularly scheduled meeting.