The Georgia man who police say was the mastermind behind the "Barbie Bandits" bank robbery has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. The new prison term will be added to the 15 years Michael Chastang is already serving on unrelated drug charges, ruled Superior Court Judge Mary Staley.

"For the theft, you used the others," Superior Court Judge Mary Staley told him. "You orchestrated it. You sat in the back and put the pawns out to do it."

Pointing out Chastang's seven-year criminal record of drug and weapons charges, Judge Staley told Chastang that his sentence was "certainly well deserved."

Mastermind of the Plan

The 28-year-old Chastang was convicted of bank theft in connection with a supermarket bank branch robbery on Feb. 27, 2007 in which $11,000 was stolen. Prosecutors said Chastang was the mastermind of the plan and plotted with Heather Johnston, Ashley Miller and bank teller Benny Allen III to rob the Bank of America branch.

Chastang put the two women, both of whom were 19 at the time, in touch with Allen to carry out the plan. When the two blondes were caught on video presenting a robbery note wearing designer sunglasses and giggling they were dubbed the "Barbie Bandits" by the media.

On Monday, Judge Staley sentenced the other defendants in the case. Allen will serve five years, Miller two years and Johnston will serve only probation, because she was the first to cooperate with the investigation, court records show.

See Also:
Girl Bandits' Ringleader Gets 10 Years

Background:
The Barbie Bandit Case

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