WOODLAND HILLS—Sentencing was delayed on Thursday, May 23 for an ongoing case involving two men who have been dubbed the “Cowboy Bandits.” Dominic Dorsey, 51, of Hollywood and Reginald Bailey, 74, of the Jefferson Park district of Los Angeles were arrested in 2014 for multiple robberies and firearm possession. The pair’s sentencing hearing was reset for Friday afternoon. The pair go by the moniker “Cowboy Gun Bandits” for their use of a distinctive long-barreled Colt-six shooter they utilized during the robberies.
The defendants robbed several gas stations throughout Southern California, a pizza restaurant, and a bank at the start of fall 2013. Dorsey and Bailey were charged with one count of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, which is in violation of the Hobbs Act. The Hobbs Act which was enacted back in 1946, criminalized both robbery and extortion. The pair has many substantive Hobbs Act robbery counts and other counts of possessing, using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Bailey faces no less than 35 years in prison, while Dorsey could face up to 45 years in prison according to U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder.
The first robbery transpired at a Papa John’s Pizza restaurant in Canyon Country in September 2013. Throughout 2013, the pair robbed multiple gas stations in Southern California. In October 2013, Dorsey and Bailey robbed a Chevron gas station in Woodland Hills. Their last robbery occurred in November 2013 at a Citibank in Glendale for more than $55,000.
Many of the robberies were captured on video surveillance which revealed that one of the bandits was missing a part of his ring finger on his left hand. This evidence led investigators to Bailey because of his missing finger. Other surveillance camera footage helped to lead investigators to Dorsey.
According to evidence found on one surveillance camera, Dorsey’s face and distinctive shoes were shown clearly prior to their robbery in Encino. He was shown pumping gas before returning to rob the gas station wearing the same shoes and driving a similar car. The large Colt 1873 revolver used during the robberies was never recovered by authorities.
