Two Miami Men Arrested and Charged for Bank Robbery

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and John V. Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Miami Field Office, announced the arrest of defendants Cornelis Allen Holifield, 24, and Cedric J. McDowell, 19, both of Miami, on bank robbery charges. A pretrial detention hearing is scheduled for July 26, 2010, in Fort Lauderdale, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Seltzer. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory term of imprisonment of 25 years.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, on June 30, 2010, defendants Holifield and McDowell entered the BB&T Bank, located at 10500 Miramar Parkway, in Miramar, and robbed the bank. During the robbery, defendant McDowell allegedly pointed a gun at customers and employees. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Holifield on July 16, 2010. At that time, Holifield admitted his participation in the robbery and identified McDowell as his accomplice. In addition, a bank security officer identified the defendants’ photographs. Based on this information, McDowell was arrested on July 16, 2010.

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of the FBI, Miami-Dade Police Department and Miramar Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Chase.

A complaint is merely a charge and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.