Butler County Man Charged with Robbing Two Area Banks

United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today that Bruce Edwin Tyson of Valencia, Pennsylvania was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of committing bank robberies in violation of federal law.

The two-count indictment named Tyson, age 50, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on December 18, 2008, Tyson, by force, violence, and intimidation took over $2,500.00 from the Northwest Savings Bank at 1421 Pittsburgh Road, Valencia, Pennsylvania and on January 14, 2009, by force, violence, and intimidation took over $2,000.00 from the First National Bank at 596 South Pike Road, Sarver, Pennsylvania.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Middlesex Township Police Department, and the Buffalo Township Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.