Multi-Agency Task Force Efforts Result in the Indictment of Four Fort Myers Area Men on Federal Bank Robbery Charges

FORT MYERS, FL—United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Michael James Harrell (31, Fort Myers) and Matthew Rollins (26, Fort Myers) with armed bank robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, attempted bank robbery, conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, and conspiracy to use firearms during a crime of violence; and Maurice Andre Colbert (27, Fort Myers) and Victor Dongrel Wilson (22, Fort Myers) with attempted bank robbery, conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, and conspiracy to use firearms during a crime of violence. If convicted on these charges, Harrell faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 32 years up to life in federal prison; Rollins faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of seven years up to life in federal prison; and Colbert and Wilson face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years in federal prison. The four defendants also face fines of up to $250,000.

According to the indictment, the four individuals conspired to rob area banks with firearms from August 12, 2011 to October 8, 2011. Harrell and Rollins are also charged with the armed bank robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank on August 12, 2011, and using a firearm during that robbery. Harrell is further charged with the armed bank robbery of the Preferred Community Bank on August 31, 2011, and using a firearm during that robbery. Harrell, Rollins, and Colbert are also charged with the attempted bank robbery of the Wells Fargo Bank on September 14, 2011. Harrell, Rollins, Colbert, and Wilson are also charged with the attempted bank robbery of the Capital Bank on October 4, 2011.

All defendants appeared in federal court today for detention/bond hearings and arraignment. Rollins, Colbert, and Wilson were ordered detained without bond in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending trial. Harrell was also ordered detained pending a detention/bond hearing and arraignment that was rescheduled for October 19, 2011.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This indictment is the result of a cooperative investigative effort among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Myers Police Department, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Coral Police Department, and Punta Gorda Police Department. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeffrey F. Michelland and Nicole H. Waid.