United States Attorney Cole Finegan | U.S. Department of Justice
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado has announced the sentencing of two Denver men involved in a series of bank robberies. Mitchell Leland Baca, 33, and Jaki Ravion Joseph Martin-Birch, 28, received prison sentences of 224 months and 170 months respectively for their participation in these crimes.
Baca admitted guilt to multiple charges including two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and four counts of bank robbery. Martin-Birch also pled guilty to similar charges involving firearms and bank robbery.
Court documents reveal that between June 14, 2023, and July 24, 2023, the pair committed five bank robberies in Denver and Aurora. During these incidents, they used weapons to intimidate employees into handing over cash. Each robbery resulted in them escaping with thousands of dollars.
“Bank robberies are violent, brazen crimes that we will not tolerate,” stated Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch. “These sentences should send a message to other potential bank robbers that they will be caught and prosecuted.”
FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek commented on the case saying, "Together, the defendants are responsible for at least five bank robberies involving handguns across the metro area.” He highlighted the role of the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force in investigating such cross-jurisdictional crimes and leveraging federal prosecution to keep violent offenders off the streets.
The sentences were handed down by United States District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force along with the Denver Police Department. Special United States Attorney Leah Perczak managed the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program focuses on building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
