The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania has announced that a 16 count Criminal Information has been filed against Francis McBride, age 27 of Scranton, Pennsylvania, charging him with bank robbery, attempted bank robbery and interference with commerce by threats or violence.

According to the United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Information alleges that from March through August 2014, McBride engaged in a series of attempted bank robberies and one successful bank robbery in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. The Information also alleges that McBride robbed four gas stations/convenience stores in Scranton and Moosic. McBride was arrested in August 2014.

The investigation was conducted by the Scranton office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Scranton Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski. McBride faces a maximum penalty of 20 years’ incarceration and a $250,000 fine for each count in the Information.

Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilty is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.