Ex-Convict, Already Facing Life Sentence, Indicted on Federal Bank-Robbing Charges

A San Diego ex-convict, already facing charges that could bring him life in prison without parole, was indicted Thursday on federal charges of robbing two San Diego County banks, prosecutors said.

James Scott Daly, 28, was charged in a three-count indictment with two bank robberies and with using a gun in one of the two June robberies, Assistant U.S. Atty. Larry Burns said.

Daly was charged with robbing a Hawthorne Savings & Loan branch in Rancho Bernardo of $1,948 on June 22 and with using a gun in the robbery, Burns said.

The indictment also charges Daly with robbing a Home Federal Bank branch in Escondido of $1,190 on June 18, Burns said. No date has been set for Daly’s arraignment, Burns said.

Daly is being held in state custody pending a parole revocation hearing, he said.

Daly was indicted July 26 on a charge of being a repeat felon in possession of a gun. If convicted of that charge under a 1986 federal law that targets “career criminals,” Daly could be sentenced to life in prison without parole, Burns said.

Last week’s indictment stemmed from Daly’s arrest June 23 at a Pacific Beach motel after an 11-hour standoff with San Diego police, during which Daly reportedly fired more than 2 dozen shots at police.

Daly, who had barricaded himself inside, was finally flushed out by tear gas fired by officers.

The standoff began when officers, seeking Daly for a parole violation, knocked on the door of Daly’s room and were met with gunfire, police said.