New England Man Dubbed the “British Bandit” is Arraigned on Bank Robbery Charges
U.S. Attorney’s Office December 08, 2009 |
SACRAMENTO—United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that PATRICK EDWARD DOHERTY, 31, of Boston, Mass., was arraigned today in connection with bank robberies in Sacramento and Davis.
The case is being investigated by the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez, who is prosecuting the case, during the early stages of the investigation, the task force dubbed the perpetrator “the British Bandit” because tellers indicated the robber used a flamboyant or exaggerated English accent during his robberies. DOHERTY was arrested when investigators uncovered information regarding his modus operandi and linking his likeness to the surveillance photos. On November 30, 2009, DOHERTY was charged with the following banks robberies:
April 5, 2009, the Tri Counties Bank at 3250 Arena Blvd., Sacramento;
April 22, 2009, the Bank of America at 1900 Anderson Road, Davis.
At the time of the robberies, DOHERTY was wanted by state authorities for driving under the influence and other traffic offenses.
If convicted of the charges, DOHERTY faces up to 40 years in federal prison. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors.
DOHERTY’s next court appearance is schedule for January 25, 2010, at 8:30 am before U.S. District Court Judge William B. Shubb. He is currently in custody.
The charges are only allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.