Armed Bank Robber Who Shot at Police Officer Sentenced

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Eric Colbert, 38, of Albany, Georgia, was sentenced on August 22, 2013, by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States District Judge in Albany, Georgia, to 257 months in prison for armed bank robbery.

As part of his plea of guilty, Mr. Colbert admitted that on the morning of November 18, 2011, he entered First State Bank in Albany, Georgia, held up a gun, fired a shot into the ceiling, and shouted, “This is a robbery.” Mr. Colbert then fired an additional shot at an Albany Police Department officer who was in the bank. At that point, Mr. Colbert fled from the bank, pursued by the officer, and fired several additional shots behind him. Mr. Colbert was apprehended shortly thereafter. No money was stolen from the bank, and no one was hurt.

“When Mr. Colbert entered the bank and fired his gun, he chose to put the bank employees and customers in danger. When he took a shot at the officer, he guaranteed himself a place in federal prison for a long, long time. This case is another example of the senseless use of a firearm during a crime, and the lengthy sentence should send a message that it will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Albany Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Peter Leary prosecuted the case for the government.