Two “Note-Job” Bank Robbers Sentenced to Federal Prison

PROVIDENCE, RI—Two defendants have been sentenced to federal prison for committing a combined total of five “note-job” bank robberies, it was announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha. A note-job bank robbery, a crime of violence, occurs when a note demanding money is passed or an oral demand is made but a weapon is not shown.

Shirley A. Green, 48, of Lincoln, R.I., was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith to 48 months in federal prison for committing three note-job bank robberies in two months in 2009. On Friday, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mary M. Lisi sentenced Andrew Shepard, 30, of Warwick, R.I., to 46 months in federal prison for two note-job bank robberies he committed within seven days in July 2010.

“As I have said before, whether you show a weapon, pass a note to a teller, or utter words to the effect that you are robbing a bank, you threaten the safety of everyone around you and cause a great deal of emotional harm. It won’t be tolerated,” commented U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha. “My office is committed to protecting banks, and most importantly, the people who work there and use them. Bringing all of the resources of the federal government to bear, we will aggressively prosecute those who rob banks, whether those robberies are perpetrated with demand notes, firearms, or anything in between.”

According to court documents and information presented to the court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan, Green robbed the Navigant Credit Union branch in Lincoln of $2970 in October 2009; The Pawtucket Credit Union branch in Pawtucket of $1470 in November 2009; and the North Easton Savings Bank branch in Mansfield, Massachusetts, of $2730 in December 2009. In addition to serving 48 months in federal prison, Green was ordered to pay full restitution to the banks.

According to court records and information presented to the court by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth P. Madden, Shepard robbed the Citizens Bank branch at Stop & Shop on Mendon Road in Cumberland on July 3, 2010, of $991, and the Citizens Bank branch at the Lincoln Mall on July 10, 2010, of $3026. In addition to serving 46 months in federal prison, Shepard was ordered to pay full restitution to the banks.

The robberies were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Cumberland, Lincoln, Pawtucket, and Mansfield Police Departments.