District of Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Bank Robbery

WASHINGTON—A 42-year-old D.C. man, James Curcio, pled guilty today to one count of bank robbery while armed, announced U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr., James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The guilty plea occurred before the Honorable Ellen S. Huvelle in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. According to court documents, on May 2, 2011, Curcio robbed the TD Bank located on 7th Street, N.W., in the busy Chinatown neighborhood. Curcio approached the teller counter and pointed an item that was observed by the teller to resemble a gun. The investigation later revealed that the weapon was a nail gun. Curcio jumped over the counter and forced the teller and one other TD Bank employee to the ground at gunpoint. As both victims laid face down on the floor, Curcio removed all the money from the top teller drawer, and exited the bank on foot.

During a subsequent search of Curcio’s home in Washington, D.C., law enforcement found clothing worn by Curcio during the robbery.

Curcio’s sentencing is scheduled for August 30, 2011. He faces a possible sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen, Assistant Director McJunkin, and Chief Lanier commended the exceptional investigative work of the FBI/MPD Violent Crimes Task Force and Deputy United States Marshal Daniel Vizzi. They also thanked legal assistant LaToya Wade, who provided administrative support, and Assistant United States Attorney Kristen Warden, who assisted with asset forfeiture issues. Lastly, they praised Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine K. Connelly, who is prosecuting this matter.