Belvidere Man Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Robbery of Harris Bank in Belvidere

ROCKFORD—A Belvidere man was sentenced today in Federal Court to 30 months in prison, without parole, for the robbery of Harris N.A., 401 Southtowne Drive, Belvidere, Illinois, on Mar. 26, 2011. The defendant, Carlos Harris, 39, of Belvidere, who pleaded guilty to the bank robbery on Oct. 27, 2011, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Philip G. Reinhard. Harris was also ordered to serve three years’ supervised release following his release from prison, as well as to pay restitution of $5,000 to the Bank.

According to the written plea agreement, the defendant entered Harris bank on Mar. 26th, 2011, wearing a tan Carhartt jacket, approached a teller at the counter, and slid a note with both hands to the teller demanding $50s and $20s and stating he had a gun. Harris then placed his right hand in his jacket pocket and moved it to the top of the teller counter, still in his pocket. After the teller removed cash from the drawer and placed it on the counter, Harris grabbed the cash, put it in his pockets and left the bank. Harris has been in federal custody since his arrest later that same day.

The sentencing was announced by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Belvidere Police Department assisted in the investigation and arrest of Harris.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Paccagnini.