Fulton County Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison
| U.S. Attorney’s Office March 06, 2014 |
ATLANTA—Michael Winfield has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for using a firearm in the commission of an armed bank robbery.
“Winfield’s persistence in pursuing a life of crime is matched by law enforcement’s commitment to requiring him to face justice for those crimes,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “The sentence imposed should serve as notice to others that if you choose to participate in violent crimes, you will be subject to severe penalties.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: Winfield was identified and arrested by agents from the FBI after they received an anonymous tip and confirmed Winfield’s identity by bank surveillance videos. The FBI was able to confirm that Winfield had committed three different robberies of two banks and one grocery store. On February 4, 2013, Winfield robbed a Kroger Grocery Store located in Smyrna Georgia; on February 11, 2013, he robbed a BB&T Bank, located in Alpharetta, Georgia; and on February 19, 2013, Winfield robbed a Wells Fargo Bank, located in Tucker, Georgia. On December 4, 2013, Winfield pleaded guilty to carrying a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.
Mr. Winfield had previously been convicted in federal court of armed bank robbery and was sentenced to prison. In 2013, he began to repeat his pattern of committing armed bank robberies. A second federal conviction of carrying a firearm during the commission of a violent crime carries a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence.
Based upon the charge to which he pleaded guilty and his criminal history, Winfield, 42, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen C. Jones, to a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,136.00. Winfield pleaded guilty on December 4, 2013.
This case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Perry Meador.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Smith prosecuted the case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.Presse-mails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division ishttp://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/.