California felon granted ‘compassionate release’ after 26 years in jail is sent back to prison for same crime

A convicted bank robber released early from federal prison on a “compassionate release” program is heading back to the slammer for the same crime he was originally sent away for.

Markham David Bond was found guilty by a federal jury in Los Angeles Thursday on one count of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of using a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to the US Department of Justice.

Bond, 61, robbed a Brinks courier at gunpoint in a Chase bank parking lot near LAX on Aug. 18, 2023.

He had approached the driver of the armored vehicle, pointed a handgun at him, and demanded the money.

The Brinks employee, fearing for his life, dropped the duffle bag filled with cash and complied with Bond’s order.

The convicted crook then snatched up the bag and fled the area — making off with $145,000 in cash.

Bond was arrested on Nov. 22, 2023, with police finding a treasure trove of evidence linking him to the robbery after searching his residence and the getaway car he used for the heist.

Investigators said they recovered cash from the robbery hidden inside “a mini-refrigerator” at his home, a .40-caliber pistol containing ten rounds of ammunition, and the shirt he was wearing when he committed the felony. The empty Brinks bag was found inside the getaway vehicle.

Following his arrest, it was revealed that the brazen robber had been released from custody early in 2022 on “compassionate” grounds following a conviction for bank robbery and other firearms offenses in the mid-90s, the DOJ reported.

“After being given a second chance in life, this defendant sadly chose a path of violent crime,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.

Bonds was sentenced to 46 years and 10 months in prison in January 1995 following his conviction.

However, he was granted the compassionate release after only serving 26 years of his sentence.

Bonds was on supervised release when he robbed the Brinks employee at gunpoint in 2023.

“Through our strong partnerships with federal and local law enforcement, we will continue to use our resources to protect our community by holding accountable violent offenders who use guns,” Estrada said.

The California felon also had a lengthy criminal history dating from the 1980s and 1990s, including armed robbery, use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

A “compassionate release” is a legal process that permits early prisoner release for “extraordinary and compelling reasons,” such as serious health issues, advanced age, or significant family circumstances, according to the United States Sentencing Commission.

It’s unclear what reason Bonds was granted the release in 2022.

A sentencing hearing for the serial felon is scheduled for July 11, 2025. He faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison.