Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery
| U.S. Attorney’s Office January 09, 2014 |
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jason Berg, 22, Buffalo, New York, pleaded guilty to bank robbery before U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant robbed the First Niagara Bank located at 1000 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo on April 26, 2013. Berg then robbed the M&T Bank located at 788 Tonawanda St. in Buffalo on May 16, 2013; and the M&T Bank located at 1580 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo on June 12, 2013. The defendant passed notes to the bank tellers indicating he possessed a firearm and demanded specific amounts of money.
The plea is the result of a joint investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of special agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig; and the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Bryan DalPorto.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.