Rockford Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Robbery of Northwest Bank in Rockford

ROCKFORD—A Rockford man was sentenced today in federal court to 18 years in prison, without parole, for the robbery of Northwest Bank branch located at 3106 North Rockton Avenue in Rockford, Illinois on June 6, 2011. The defendant, Arty Bates, 27, of Rockford, who pleaded guilty to the bank robbery on December 2, 2011, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Philip G. Reinhard. Bates was also ordered to serve five years’ supervised release following his release from prison, as well as to pay restitution of $6,580 to the bank.

According to the written plea agreement, on June 6, 2011, Bates went into the Northwest Bank and spoke with two bank employees about banking services. Bates left and re-entered the bank several times. He then walked over to a teller counter where two bank employees were standing and jumped over the teller counter. Bates pointed a pellet gun at the face of one of the tellers and told her not to move. Bates removed $6,580 from three teller drawers, placed the money into a plastic bag, and left the bank. Bates has been in federal custody since his arrest on July 6, 2011.

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 Rockford Police Department assisted in the investigation.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Pedersen.