Man Arrested and Charged with Wells Fargo Bank Robbery in Aurora

DENVER—Christian Paetsch, age 45, was arrested Saturday evening by members of the Aurora Police Department and the FBI’s Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI announced today. Paetsch was charged today by criminal complaint with one count of armed bank robbery and one count of using or brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The robbery took place on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 3:46 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank located at 15301 East Hampden Avenue in Aurora, Colorado. The defendant allegedly used a firearm during the course of the bank robbery. The defendant appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver today, where he was advised of the charges pending against him. He is being held without bond and is scheduled to be back in court on June 7 at 10 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kristen L. Mix for a detention hearing and a preliminary hearing.

If convicted, Paetsch faces not more than 25 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for armed bank robbery. In addition, he faces not less than seven years, and up to life in federal prison, consecutive to the first sentence, if convicted of using or brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He also faces restitution consisting of the money he allegedly took from the bank.

This case was investigated by the Aurora Police Department and the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force. The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Conner.

A criminal complaint is a probable cause charging document. Anyone accused of committing a felony violation of federal law has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury. The charges in the complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

It is important to note that federal authorities cannot release mug shots, nor can we authorize the release of mug shots.