LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Court records show the man accused of kidnapping a Louisville mother and her two children during a bank robbery last week was previously convicted in a string of violent robberies in 2021 — crimes that left multiple victims injured and fearful — but was released on probation.
Records show Armond Langford was sentenced in 2024 on burglary and robbery charges stemming from a four-month crime spree in 2021 that involved at least 19 victims. Court documents show sometimes he targeted multiple people in a single day and threatened to kill some of them.
In one incident, a now-retired woman said Langford attacked her in broad daylight.
“I am a nervous wreck about using any drive thru banking, including the drive thru windows,” she wrote in a victim impact statement. “This happened before 4 p.m., prime time of the day. Mentally it was very upsetting where I will never forget how he twisted my arm and bent my hand backward.”
She said she hit Langford with her car during the struggle, and the injuries she suffered required surgery.
“I followed him and used my auto and hit him. He got up limping,” she wrote. “I had to have my rotator cuff repaired where he twisted my arm, plus physical therapy before surgery and after surgery.”
Another victim said the attack shattered her sense of safety.
“I am afraid to go anywhere alone. I stay at home most of the time now. Rarely leave the house. I feel like he stole my freedom. I don’t feel safe at all anymore,” she wrote.
She said Langford grabbed her arm, left her with severe bruises, and worsened her mental health.
“He grabbed me by my arm and pulled it around to the front of his body. He bruised my arm and wrist pretty badly,” she said. “He caused my depression and anxiety to become much worse, requiring more medication.”
Prosecutors at the time argued against Langford’s early release during a shock probation hearing last year.
“Based on the number of victims and the behavior in these incidents, I believe probation would depreciate the serious nature of these offenses,” prosecutor Milja Zgonjanin told the court.
Before Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Jessica Green granted Langford shock probation, she routinely asked those facilities to report his behavior. And, according to court documents, both facilities sent letters to Green saying Langford was a model inmate with no disciplinary violations.
However, court records show Langford has a history of mental illness and a traumatic brain injury.
"I really need to see if you are going to be accepted into mental health court," Green said at Langford's shock probation hearing. "I'm hopeful that you will be because I believe that that's the structure that you need."
Some current and former judges told WDRB News on Tuesday that Green appeared to go beyond normal practice by checking in on Langford to ensure he wasn't a danger at the time. The judges requested anonymity to speak freely saying they feared for their safety given the threats Green has received because of this case.
Ultimately, Langford was denied admittance to the mental health court program because a state assessment found he wasn't eligible due to a low risk of recidivism. Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Julie Kaelin, who runs that program, noted Green was doing "everything possible" to keep Langford on the right track.
Langford was arrested Aug. 8 after allegedly breaking into a Louisville home, holding a mother and her two children at knifepoint and forcing them to drive to a bank, where he demanded $20,000. Investigators said Langford fled with the cash before being arrested later that day.
The case has drawn the attention of Kentucky lawmakers, including state Rep. Jason Nemes, who said the Safer Kentucky Act — passed after Langford’s sentencing in 2024 — was designed to prevent similar releases.
According to the act, "a violent offender who has been convicted of a capital offense or Class A felony with a sentence of a term of years or Class B felony shall not be released on probation or parole until he or she has served at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the sentence imposed."
“He (Langford) would’ve had to serve 85% of the sentence — which would have been in about 2033 — so the judge would not have been able to release him,” Nemes said.
Previous Coverage:
Court documents shed light on why accused Louisville bank robber was let out of prison early
Louisville mother abducted with children shares harrowing bank robbery survival story
'Not normal' | Louisville detective says abduction, bank robbery unlike any other case
Lawmakers criticize 2024 early release of Louisville man now charged in kidnapping, robbery
Police arrest man accused of abducting woman and 2 children, robbing Louisville bank
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