Hanahan Man Admits Robbing Seven Banks

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney W. Walter Wilkins stated that Jeffrey Patrick Frye, age 45, of Hanahan, South Carolina, pled guilty last Friday in federal court in Charleston to seven counts of bank robbery, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a). Chief United States District Judge David C. Norton accepted the guilty plea and will impose a sentence after he has reviewed presentence reports which will be prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

Evidence presented in court established that Frye robbed banks in North Charleston, Lexington, Spartanburg, Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Orangeburg, and Summerville during a spree that began on December 24, 2008, when he robbed the First Citizens Bank at 9205 University Boulevard in North Charleston. Frye moved throughout the state robbing various banks before robbing the First Citizens Bank at 1319 Main Street in Summerville on January 26, 2009. Frye surrendered that same day after a standoff at a motel in North Charleston. Authorities estimate the total amount taken during the robberies was approximately $28,000.00.

Frye has a previous federal conviction for bank robbery in 1993.

Mr. Wilkins stated the maximum penalty Frye could receive is imprisonment for a period of 20 years and a fine of $250,000 for each of the seven counts.

Mr. Wilkins stated that the case was investigated by agents of the FBI, ATF, SLED, North Charleston Police Department, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Columbia Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Summerville Police Department, Charleston Police Department, and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office handled the case.