Man Charged with Robbing Four Banks

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo has returned a 13-count indictment charging Clifford B. Smith, 32, formerly of Buffalo, New York, with robbery, entry of a bank with intent to commit a larceny, bank larceny, and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, a mandatory seven years’ imprisonment for the firearm charge, a fine of $250,000, or all three.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, Smith robbed the HSBC Bank at 3107 Bailey Avenue in Buffalo on September 29, 2011; the HSBC Bank at 1017 Broadway Street in Buffalo on October 21, 2011; the HSBC Bank at 973 Main Street in Buffalo on October 25, 2011; and the HSBC Bank at 973 Main Street in Buffalo on November 8, 2011. Approximately $1,200, $10,950, $3,895, and $26,037, respectively, was stolen from each location. The indictment also charges Smith with brandishing a firearm during the November 8, 2011 robbery.

The indictment is the culmination of an investigation on the part of agents of the Buffalo Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Christopher M. Piehota, Special Agent in Charge; the Philadelphia Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge John J. Brosnan; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.