A grand jury returned a three-count indictment related to three bank robberies in Parma and Parma Heights, said Steven M. Dettelbach, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Russell C. Bowers, 29, of Lakewood, and Ashley Wentz, 23, of Parma, were each charged with three counts of bank robbery. Jason D. Spinelli, 40, of Cleveland, was charged with one count of bank robbery.

The indictment alleges that Bowers, Spinelli, and Wentz robbed the Citizens Bank, 5775 Chevy Road, in Parma, Ohio, a federally insured financial institution, on June 26, 2015.

The indictment further alleges that Bowers and Wentz robbed the Fifth Third Bank, 6809 West 130th Street, in Parma Heights, Ohio, a federally insured financial institution, on July 12, 2015; and the Citizens Bank, 6555 Pearl Road, in Parma Heights, Ohio, a federally insured financial institution, on July 17, 2015.

If convicted, the sentence in this case will be determined by the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines which depend upon a number of factors unique to each case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the unique characteristics of the violation. In all cases the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland Division, and the Parma and Parma Heights Police Departments.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.