United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the sentencing of GEORGE RICHARD GAUNT, 26, to 150 months in federal prison for robbing banks in three states, including Virginia, Iowa, and Minnesota. GAUNT was charged with one count of Bank Robbery in the District of Minnesota, one count of Bank Robbery in the Northern District of Iowa, and two counts of Bank Robbery in the Western District of Virginia. GAUNT pleaded guilty to all charges on April 7, 2014, in United States District Court in St. Paul, Minn. He was sentenced on November 5, 2014.

“This case is the result of successful efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors across three districts,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine Buzicky. “Working together, law enforcement officers apprehended a defendant who committed violent crimes across the country.”

According to the indictment and documents filed in court, in the fall of 2013, GAUNT disappeared from a halfway house in Kentucky and went on a bank robbery spree in Virginia, Iowa, and Minnesota. During each of the four bank robberies, GAUNT intimidated bank employees using a black BB gun that was designed to look exactly like a handgun. The defendant also passed to tellers violent and threatening notes. GAUNT handed a bank teller in Center Point, Iowa, a note that read, “I have a gun Give me $ No dye, trackers, or alarms I’ll kill everyone!”

According to documents filed in court, on October 15, 2013, GAUNT robbed a bank in Eagle Lake, Minnesota, using a BB gun and passing a threatening note that read, “I have a gun, this is no joke, I will kill you! Act normal, no alarms, trackers, or dye packs. PS this aint my first bank. So don’t make me kill again.” Later that day, law enforcement agents apprehended GAUNT with a BB gun and a bag with approximately $7,472 in cash that he had taken from the bank in Eagle Lake, Minnesota.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Eagle Lake Police Department, the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office and the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katharine T. Buzicky.

Defendant Information:

GEORGE RICHARD GAUNT, 26 Louisville, KY

Convicted:

• Bank Robbery, four counts

Sentenced:

• 150 months in prison