Ten days later, the group was indicted for bank larceny and money laundering. When you have money, you just have different problems: The I wasnt attracted to him or anything, but he was a nice guy, Campbell said. Hes a family man with a wife and daughter. She had attitude. Steve and Michele invited everyone back for a Christmas party, where they gave Michele's stepfather a special gift--the pickup truck he'd always wanted. There were things in real life that my compatriots did that was pretty comedic and stupid. Yes, *that* David Ghantt, lol. He told her he wanted more of "his" cash. Kelly would only discover later that leading up to the heist, Steve had been writing bad checks, $17,000 worth, for which he would later be convicted. I didnt even have a real home life because I was never there. Ghantt, who had been with the bank since 1994, was promoted from driver to vault supervisor in 1997, where he earned $360 a week and befriended Kelly They swept the surrounding counties, locating Kelly Campbell and Eric Payne in their homes. Masterminds Can I Keep the Velvet Elvis?: The Great Hillbilly Heist of 1997 These (Loomis) guys, not so much.. The same applies to trolling, the use of multiple aliases, or When I put that cash in the back of the car, by the time I got to the office the whole car smelled like that. Kelly relayed his message to Steve. "I was thinking, 'They aren't paying me enough,' " McKinney recalled. He realized his bosses would know he had worked that day and that he was missing, but maybe without a video they would think he'd been held at gunpoint and taken hostage, or even better, that he'd been killed. The film was based on an actual incident in 1997. He was also married. MASTERMINDS will be available on Blu-ray, DVD and digital download tomorrow. Then FBI agent Wydra watched Steve's wife, Michele, deposit about $8,000 at a Gaston County, N.C., bank. Ghantt says he believes in redemption, and that his mistake 25 years ago brought him all the things that are important in his life today. ". Eventually, the money had to run out. After meeting up with Chambers, Campbell, and some other co-conspirators, Ghantt hightailed it to Mexico with $50,000 in cash in his car. Enforcement of this policy is at the Campbell used part of her share of the money to buy aToyota Siennaminivanin two cash installments. Eventually, Ghantt would return to the United States and the full sum would be split up between the conspirators. He and his wife, Tammy, lived in a mobile home in Kings Mountain, N.C. Money was always tight. They set the date, Oct. 4, a Saturday when David knew he could be alone in the building after his shift. Ghantt was joined by Kelly Campbell, a former Loomis Fargo employee who had been fired from the company for theft. First Republic Bank seized by regulators, then sold to JPMorgan Chase WebMenu. Before the robber left Loomis Fargo, he made a trip to the managers office to remove two surveillance tapes in order to conceal his identity. ", "I wouldn't do it. Steve and Michelle Chambers, who had lived in a mobile home, bought a mansion in Cramer Mountain. In the grand scheme of things, the prison sentence for stealing $20 million wouldn't be much worse than for stealing just $500,000 maybe a few extra years behind bars. Attorneys Office in Charlotte posted a public reminder in the case file of Loomis defendant Kelly Campbell that she had fallen behind in her restitution. . Mexican police, Interpol officers and an FBI agent were watching him. PFF: Below Average Campbell is the top linebacker on the PFF big board but ranks just 39th overall. I stole $17 million, and Zach Galifianakis played me in a movie. His wife, they said, got breast implants and used cash to purchase a 1998 BMW Z3 sports car. Not until David was gone did Scott realize he didn't know which key to use. David Ghantt discovers the true meaning of adventure far beyond his wildest dreams. . The morning after the height, employees of Loomis Fargo realized they couldnt open the vault. David quickly realized he was the intended victim. Chambers wife, Michelle, bought a minivan in cash and began taking frequent trips to the bank to make deposits. When they painted the cars, they were the wrong shake. The True Story of David Ghantt and the Loomis Fargo They stocked a wine cellar. Hes a family man with a wife and daughter. However, he was released for good behavior after serving only five of them. He placed stacks of currency on a cart and wheeled it to the van about 15 feet away, inside the building. The judge said he would recommend that Michele Chambers be given mental health treatment in prison. Or is the loot buried in somebody's yard? Afterward, she and David would talk just occasionally on the phone. Eventually, Ghantt called in from Mexico, seeking more money, and the FBI officially recognized Chambers as a co-conspirator. Three weeks after the theft, Steve and Michele moved from their Lincoln County mobile home to a $635,000 house in a gated Cramerton, N.C., neighborhood. I think I always knew that, but lost my way for a while.". At the Halloween party, though, Kelly gave in to Steve, and agreed it had to be done. He made it across the border just as his deception was discovered. He was also married. LRM: You did serve time in Federal prison and it was a very well-known bank robbery. Having only brought $50,000 in cash, however, Ghantt soon found himself short on funds. The gang made numerous mistakes. I might even have more these days. Masterminds (2016 film All of the defendants except for one pleaded guilty and accepted their sentences. I loved it that she is part of my life now, because of all this. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? David Ghantt discovers the true meaning of adventure far beyond his wildest dreams. Three of the 21 defendants in the case haven't been David kissed his sleeping wife on the cheek on the morning of Oct. 4. The supervisor liked him and gave him the job. Why do we feel its so necessary to treat people like this, to say, OK, well just ruin the rest of your life because you made a bad decision., Punishment should not last a lifetime. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. She asked about the limit for a cash deposit before "paperwork" was required. They had initially agreed to control their spending for a year or two, in the belief that the government would vigorously track the spending habits of any and all suspects for at least a year before relenting. Anonymous tips had the FBI monitoring Chambers calls. Learning about US history? PFF: Below Average Campbell is the top linebacker on the PFF big board but ranks just 39th overall. "He was speechless," said Sandra Floyd. With the bandits blowing millions on lavish and ridiculous luxuries, they leave behind a glaring trail of evidence. "He showed me a lot of money," McKinney said. . . Money'll turn your head, I don't care who you are. The others sat in their cars across the street and watched him struggle to open the heavy gate. Jim Gronquist, Campbells defense attorney during the Loomis case, says the financial penalties levied against his client and her co-defendants are grossly excessive and unjust, particularly since most of the stolen Loomis money was actually recovered. David said he realized then, for the first time, he might not see the millions he thought he had coming to him. People dont seem to understand human nature. I ended up buying a small sailboat and go out to catch lunch. Next month, Payne will back in the Charlotte federal courthouse, this time to be sentenced from weapons and methamphetamine trafficking charges. WebKelly lives (also in a mobile home) with an old friend named Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson) and his wife, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Ellis). Scott didn't want to, but then he remembered the hundred-grand payday. The connection to Chambers took more time. grassroots elite basketball ; why does ted lasso have a southern accent . ; The FBI heard about the plot and agents knew they could no longer wait. David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis), an employee of Loomis Fargo, robbed his own vault, left the $17.3 million in cash with his co-conspirators, Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig) and Steve Chambers (Owen Wilson) and fled the country to Mexico. Truth was, David wanted more than help leaving, he wanted company. The real story behind the second largest bank heist in "A lot of people out there had it worse than me, but . All I needed was a change of pace.". He just never had the opportunity. Ghantt By now, you probably know the names -- David Ghantt, Steve Chambers and his wife Michelle, and Kelly Campbell. One of them was a former Loomis employee. What purpose does that serve other than to denigrate that person into abject poverty?. David Ghantt: In my way of thinking, you are part of the story and people will talk about you regardless. David Scott Ghantt, 28, was arrested Sunday on an island off the Mexican coast, near the resort city of Cozumel, FBI spokesman William Perry said today. What concerned her was the chance of getting caught. It has a lot of things youll look for in a storya little romance, money, adventure and travel. What purpose does that serve other than to denigrate that person into abject poverty?. But neither of those things would matter after he met Kelly Campbell. she asked. At the time it was the second largest cash robbery ever to happen on US soil. Why would you want this story to be told and to enjoy this? The cast included Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones, SNL veterans who would also co-star in the 2016 remake of So what made you do it? David Ghantt normally came home between 6 and 8 p.m., and often he was late, his wife said. 2023 NFL Draft grades: Detroit Lions get low marks for BBC Motion Gallery. Day in and day out, he drives an armored vehicle, transporting millions of other peoples money with no escape in sight. Themansion party is real. Sandra Floyd, Michele Chambers's mother, remembers the first time she saw the house. I even helped them design the set, where he breaks into the vault. Ghantt added, I really enjoyed the movie. It was the second-largest. No Honor Among Thieves He now has a wife, a construction job, and a child. So the pieces were falling into place for investigators. Kelly was lying. Though he never found the right moment to carry out the hit, McKinney did find time to make a friend--a shady character named Robert, to whom he revealed more than was prudent. My name is David Scott Ghantt. DUMB & - The Washington Post Many of the lesser players in the conspiracy have been the most effective in paying their debts. Steve tried keys on a side door. When they showed the mansion scene, the great big velvet Elvis painting was for real. David: My name is David Ghantt. 1-4-3 is 'I love you.' The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Meanwhile, Steve was keeping a close eye on Kelly. He ejected the two VCR tapes that he knew had recorded him stealing the money, took them, and prepared to leave. Pick 18 Iowa LB Jack Campbell . At the end of October, Kelly was sentenced to 5 years 10 months in prison. Were just getting started on that. David Ghantt: When I first met Zach and sat down to talk about it, he said, You realize Im going to be playing a dumber, clumsier version of you. "He was in tears. While she made small deposits at first, she became more reckless, eventually making a deposit of thousands of dollars in cash, telling the teller not to worry: Its not drug money. Steve was sentenced to 11 years 3 months in prison. According to an affidavit, at least some of the suspects spent large sums of money following the robbery. Chambers had broached the possibility of a robbery to Campbell earlier in the summer. Man at the center of Loomis Fargo heist 25 years ago now a By late November, McKinney made a third trip to Mexico, saying he'd help David move to Mexico City. . Masterminds "I've learned that I'm a fortunate man," he said. Reward offered as manhunt for Texas shooting suspect reaches "dead end" An officer rang the doorbell. Ghantt says he believes in redemption, and that his mistake 25 years ago brought him all the things that are important in his life today. Kelly drove her pickup to a lot across the street from the Loomis building, on Suttle Avenue in Charlotte. David Scott Ghantt was the vault supervisor at the regional branch of Loomis, Fargo & Co. in Charlotte, North Carolina. Federal prosecutors would ultimately charge 21 defendants in the case, including the Floyds, who were charged with (and pleaded guilty to) money laundering. ". Did you know that the SAT offers subject exams, too? Unexplained Mysteries - owned by Aliens since 2011. Custom Content. "You" has three. ". He appeared happily matched with his high-spirited wife, Michele, and the two children from her first marriage. The theft at the time the second-largest cash robbery in U.S. history has been the brunt of mocking movies and books, mostly on how the thieves, who had little money to begin with, could not control their spending habits once they did. EDITORIAL. Like I said before, money does weird things to people. About the same time, Kelly and McKinney received phone calls from agents who told them to open their doors. Still facing possible unknowns of other people involved, the FBI needed to gather more information without the suspects getting suspicious of them. At the end of one session, they wound up kissing outside the pickup. Besides Pick 18 Iowa LB Jack Campbell . So we were able to figure out with all the denominations, it would require about 20 safe deposit boxes to store it all., WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), Part 2: Channel 9 speaks with the man at the center of Loomis Fargo heist 25 years ago, ALSO READ: 14-year-old boy robbed at gunpoint while waiting for bus in east Charlotte, mom says, ALSO READ: Leader of $3M check theft, bank fraud scheme in Charlotte area sentenced to prison, ALSO READ: Man released from jail, accused of robbing banks while wearing electronic monitor, police say, ALSO READ: Suspect from south Charlotte bank robbery found, CMPD says, NCSHP arrest driver accused of nearly hitting 2 students at bus stop in Statesville, CMS delays opening of new school meant to ease overcrowding, Mooresville orders removal of memorial at park after teens death, Chick-fil-A announces app data breach, tells customers how to protect personal information, Charlotte woman celebrates $1 million scratch-off prize, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. Everything changes when he meets Kelly Campbell (Kristen Wiig), a new employee at his bank, Loomis Fargo. Its baggeditup.net. David Ghantt: I was very sure they [were looking for me]. He flip-flopped on the heist idea three or four times. In order to impress her, David makes a deal with a group of criminals led by Steve Chambers. For reasons that remain obscure, Robert spilled the beans to David. He realized that if they met the minimum monthly payments, the bill would take 30 years to pay. About 200 keys dangled from it. While she made small deposits at first, she became more reckless, eventually making a deposit of thousands of dollars in cash, telling the teller not to worry: Its not drug money. Campbellwho was married herselfrepresented something new and exciting. Meanwhile, outside Reynolds & Reynolds, Steve, Scott and Eric needed to move 2,748 pounds of cash, quickly, from the Loomis van into the Budget van. Custom Content. Probably very egotistical of me, I thought, Yeah, sure, I can beat them, theyre college smart and thats about it, Ghantt said. Working by himself, Ghantt would commit the robbery and then flee for Mexico, leaving the bulk of the cash with Chambers. What did you have to do to survive? People did ask questions or they wanted to chat. The Loomis Fargo heist became something of a media lightning rod. Depression had led to smoking a lot of marijuana and taking Prozac, a combination she figures affected her judgment. A parrot tattoo on her right ankle. LRM: You were a movie consultant on this project. by ; 28 kwietnia 2023 just generally being a jerk. Money does weird things to people. But those documents paint a picture of people who were middle-class (at. He would pay McKinney $250,000, half upfront. Loomis, Fargo offered a $500,000 reward after the theft. Her husband gave her a brown teddy bear. She could visit friends. But neither of those things would matter after he met Kelly Campbell. In early November, Steve lured the real Mike McKinney, an ex-Marine, to North Carolina from his Illinois home. Webdavid ghantt wife nowplombon funeral home obituaries david ghantt wife now. "Steve said, 'I think we ought to do it that night, when he drops off the van,' " Kelly recalled. They decorated their 6,000-square-foot stucco house with antiques, paintings and statues, including a six-foot wooden Indian that Michele had bought for $600. AMA In October of 1997, I was a vault supervisor for armored truck company Loomis Fargo, when I made off with $17.3 million. Spending years in prison, he said, gave him time to re-invent himself. LRM: So tell me on where are you now? Before he decided to steal $17 million from the bank, Ghantt had worked for years as a relatively taciturn and compliant employee. Here's how. LRM: If you had to relive that heist againwhat would you do differently? LRM: Did you like the portrayal of yourself in the movie? Together with his wife, Chambers bought a new luxury home (upgrading from his mobile home), a BMW Z3, and some extravagant furnishings. WebThe robbery was committed by Loomis vault supervisor David Scott Ghantt, his married girlfriend Kelly Campbell (a former Loomis co-worker), Steven Eugene Chambers (a one-time FBI informant), his wife Michelle Chambers, Ghantt believed the new employee would make a good replacement for his wife, but the feelings were not necessarily reciprocated. AMA In October of 1997, I was a vault supervisor for armored truck company Loomis Fargo, when I made off with $17.3 million. Webis david ghantt married to kelly campbell is david ghantt married to kelly campbell on March 30, 2023 on March 30, 2023 The FBI quickly connected Ghantt to Campbell, who was a former Loomis Fargo employee. As of now all these are just allegations contained in court documents. Project #ShowUs. David Scott Ghantt, his former co-worker Kelly Campbell and her friends Steve and Michelle Chambers carried out the Loomis Fargo heist on Oct. 4, 1997. He drove to the edge of the Loomis compound, which was surrounded by a chain-link fence. They ditched the Loomis van, then drove the cash-heavy Budget van to Steve's mobile home in Lincoln County, where his wife, Michele, waited with a calculator and rubber bands. "I said, 'I don't want him killed.' Sure enough, she called a few days later, around September 16. } . . Steve told me to tell [David] whatever was necessary to keep him happy.". Within a few months, they were arrested. I work for a small construction company. He kept looking over his shoulder. As he and Kelly met in a field behind a shooting range to refine the plan, she allowed him to believe she was falling for him. "She said, 'What would it take to convince you to do it?' He is an uncomplicated man stuck in a monotonous life. But he tried to keep his face averted, so David wouldn't be able to ID him. In the two days after the robbery, agents interviewed more than 100 people, most connected with David. Since Ghantt was the supervisor, he sent his co-worker home first. All six were charged with aiding, abetting and counseling the commission of a bank larceny and being accessories after the fact, and hindering Ghantt's apprehension. Surveillance tapes and photographs showed a man who the FBI believes is Ghantt taking bags of money and putting them onto a cart in the vault at Loomis, Fargo's offices in Charlotte. Said Ghantt, one day life kinda slapped me in the face. Campbell left her job in the summer of 1997, but she would later use Ghantts feelings for her to her own advantage to get him to agree to carry out the multi CREATIVE. He waffled on the heist idea three or four times from late August to mid-September. On Oct. 5, the Loomis heist celebrates its 25th birthday. In the dark, Scott inserted one key into the back door slot. The Loomis Fargo Robbery: Inside Job of the Century