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Press Release

Hamilton Man Pleads Guilty To Bank Robbery, Owning Child Pornography

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio

CINCINNATI – Shane E. Bowlin, 39, of Hamilton, Ohio, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court yesterday to bank robbery, attempted bank robbery and possession of child pornography.

Carter M. Stewart, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Steven Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, Barbara L. McQuade, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, David J. Hickton, United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Kevin R. Cornelius, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge, Cincinnati Division.

On or about June 20, 2013, Bowlin robbed a Fifth Third Bank in Lambertville, Mich.  During that robbery he utilized a dangerous weapon. Later that month, he attempted to rob a Citizens Bank in Verona, Pa. and successfully robbed a PNC Bank in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. In July, he robbed the Delaware County Bank and Trust Company in Galena, Ohio.

In July, investigators discovered a large amount of cash in a hotel room occupied by Bowlin and in his vehicle. They also uncovered dye-stained money and disposable gloves tying him to the Lambertville robbery. During the search, officers also discovered approximately 1700 images and 55 videos depicting child pornography in a thumb drive and on a laptop computer.

Bowlin pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery, including the Michigan robbery which was originally filed in the Eastern District of Michigan and transferred to the Southern District of Ohio. He also pleaded guilty to one count of attempted bank robbery and possession of child pornography. The Michigan robbery carries a penalty of a punishable term of imprisonment of up to 25 years and a fine of $250,000.  Each of the other counts is punishable by a term of imprisonment up to 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Stewart commended the cooperative investigation by the FBI, Sharonville Police Department, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, Canal Fulton Police Department, Monroe County, Mich. Sheriff’s Office, and Penn Hills, Pa. Police Department, as well as Criminal Chief Kenneth L. Parker, who is representing the United States in this case.
Updated July 23, 2015