Fargo Man Sentenced for Robbing the Town & Country Credit Union in West Fargo

FARGO, ND—United States Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on October 15, 2010, Matthew C. Becker of Fargo, North Dakota, was sentenced before United States District Court Judge Ralph R. Erickson on a charge of bank robbery.

Becker, 20, pled guilty on June 1, 2010, to robbing the Town & Country Credit Union in West Fargo. At approximately 3:00 p.m. on August 3, 2009, Becker entered the Town & Country Credit Union at 925 14th Avenue West in West Fargo. He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, and a red bandana across his nose and mouth. Becker brandished a weapon and demanded that the cash drawers be emptied. Two employees emptied the drawers, giving him $9,314.00 in cash. Becker fled the credit union with the cash. The following day Becker was arrested after a Fargo police detective viewed footage of the robbery and recognized Becker.

“The crime left employees of the credit union traumatized. Although only 19 years of age at the time of the offense, Becker’s sentence was appropriate, considering the nature and circumstances of the crime,” said Assistant United States Attorney Keith Reisenauer.

Judge Erickson sentenced Becker to five years and three months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Becker was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,314.00, and to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fargo and West Fargo Police Departments.

Assistant United States Attorney Keith Reisenauer prosecuted the case.