Results: What sentence should he receive?
Published on 05/09/2016
May of 2015, 23-year-old Dominyk Antonio Alfonseca walked into a Virginia Beach bank and handed the teller a note asking for $150,000 “please.” The teller complied. Alfonseca then posted a picture of the note and video of the robbery on his Instagram. He was arrested within about 20 minutes of leaving the bank.
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
In an interview with WAVY 10 News Alfonseca explained why he didn't feel it was a bank robbery: "I posted the video on my Instagram. I videotaped it. If it was a robbery, I don't think I would videotape it, post the picture of the letter and do that all to come to jail." Do you agree with him that it was not a robbery because he did not directly threaten the teller? Yes
9%
186 votes
No
63%
1345 votes
Undecided
16%
331 votes
Not Applicable
13%
267 votes
2.
2.
His note included smiley faces and said, "Chapo! :-) I need 150,000 bands right NOW!! please Police take 3 to 4 minutes to get here, I would appreciate if you ring the alarm a minute after I am gone.. make sure the money doesn't BLOW up on my way out :-)" Do you feel the teller had reason to fear for her safety?
Yes
58%
1233 votes
No
13%
280 votes
Undecided
16%
333 votes
Not Applicable
13%
283 votes
3.
3.
Alfonseca told WAVY 10 On Your Side he was a rapper and carried out what he considered a prank to promote other things on his Instagram that have nothing to do with what happened. Had you heard his name prior to this survey? Yes
5%
98 votes
No
75%
1588 votes
Undecided
7%
144 votes
Not Applicable
14%
299 votes
4.
4.
By December of 2015, after being held without bond, Alfonseca expressed regret: "I feel bad for what I did. I repented. It was something real stupid." He pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery and went on to say, "Whatever I get I'm going to have to deal with it, because I did something that was against the law." Do you believe he is genuinely remorseful? Yes
19%
414 votes
No
32%
680 votes
Undecided
34%
715 votes
Not Applicable
15%
320 votes
5.
5.
He is scheduled for sentencing May 16, 2016. I think he has been in jail for the past year. If it were up to you, what sentence would you give? Time served and probation
23%
495 votes
Prison time of up to five years
23%
498 votes
5 to 10 years
12%
264 votes
10 to 20 years
7%
140 votes
More than 20 years
5%
114 votes
N/A
27%
566 votes
Other (please specify)
2%
52 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.47% | 10 | |
| not sure | 0.19% | 4 |
| undecided | 0.14% | 3 |
| don't know | 0.09% | 2 |
| Community service,what he did is not robbery but a dumb prank.To be charged with robbery you have to commit a theft by using force ,the threat of force or do something to make the victim believe they will be killed or seriously injured ,he didn't. | 0.05% | 1 |
| any previous legal history ?If so 5-10 years; if not probation | 0.05% | 1 |
| not qualified to make that decision. What's the penalty for being an idiot? | 0.05% | 1 |
| make him give back the money | 0.05% | 1 |
| The going rate (time) | 0.05% | 1 |
| Whatever the going rate is for bank robbery in Virginia. | 0.05% | 1 |
| don't know - do not know the punishment for bank roberry in that state | 0.05% | 1 |
| whatever the mandatory prison term would be for his crime. He committed a crime. Nobody is that stupid to think it was a prank | 0.05% | 1 |
| not sure, need more info | 0.05% | 1 |
| unsure, not a court judge | 0.05% | 1 |
| Can't say | 0.05% | 1 |
| nothing as the teller was stupid | 0.05% | 1 |
| Whatever The sentence for bank robbery | 0.05% | 1 |
| unsure | 0.05% | 1 |
| I hardly know enough about this to have an opinion | 0.05% | 1 |
| i really don' know | 0.05% | 1 |
| I would order him to a year of federal pen. time and order him to spread awarness to schools about being retarded | 0.05% | 1 |
| dunno | 0.05% | 1 |
| Death by hanging. | 0.05% | 1 |
| Attempted rib chrges | 0.05% | 1 |
| There are sentencing guidelines.. I'd use those but allow for the fact that it was nonviolent | 0.05% | 1 |
| five years hard labor | 0.05% | 1 |
| Whatever the penalty is for bank robbery | 0.05% | 1 |
| mandatory so many years of military time plus a fine | 0.05% | 1 |
| Max allowed by law | 0.05% | 1 |
| Seek a mental health Doctor | 0.05% | 1 |
| Whatever is recommended for bank robbery | 0.05% | 1 |
| time served, probation, and conditions of paying restitution to bank and teller, public service | 0.05% | 1 |
| I have no idea. Depends on what the sentence normally is for robbery | 0.05% | 1 |
| i don't know | 0.05% | 1 |
| Whatever the federal guidelines call for. Just like any other criminal | 0.05% | 1 |
| whatever the proper penalty is for this | 0.05% | 1 |
| Its for a judge to decide who has way more information than presented here | 0.05% | 1 |
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