Home Phoenix Press Releases 2010 Prescott Valley Man Charged with Armed Bank Robbery
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Prescott Valley Man Charged with Armed Bank Robbery
Man Used Fake Explosive Device in Wednesday’s Robbery

U.S. Attorney’s Office October 01, 2010
  • District of Arizona (602) 514-7500

PHOENIX—Jesse Wayne Holt, 29, of Prescott Valley, Arizona was arrested and charged with Armed Bank Robbery.

On Wednesday, September 29, 2010, at approximately 1:15 p.m., a man entered the Bank of America at 3110 West Carefree Highway. The man approached a teller with a note that said he had a bomb and told the teller she had 20 seconds to give him the money. The teller complied and after taking the money, the man attached a device to the bank entrance as he left the bank and fled the scene in a truck.

Phoenix Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation bomb technicians responded quickly, evacuated the bank and removed the device, which was later determined to be fake. Arizona Department of Public Safety Officers found Holt a short time later in a truck matching the one seen leaving the bank.

“Hoax bombs are designed to create panic and fear, which can unfortunately aid robbers in their pursuit,” said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “Thanks to the collaboration between the Phoenix Police Department, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the FBI we are able to respond quickly to dangerous situations like this one.”

“The arrest of Holt is attributable to the fine work of the Bank Robbery Task Force and the excellent cooperation with Arizona Department of Public Safety. Our Agents and law enforcement officers from the Phoenix Police Department, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, and the Mesa Police Department have made a significant impact on capturing Valley bank robbers and reducing the number of bank robberies,” said Nathan T. Gray, FBI Special Agent in Charge for the Phoenix Division.

A conviction for Armed Bank Robbery carries a maximum penalty of 25 years, a $250,000.00 fine or both. In determining an actual sentence, the assigned Federal District Court Judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Bank Robbery Task Force. The prosecution is being handled by Brian E. Kasprzyk, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-217(Holt)

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