Greenville Man Sentenced in Armed Bank Robbery Attempt

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney W. WALTER WILKINS stated today that BRUCE LEE WINDSOR, age 43, of Greenville, South Carolina, was sentenced yesterday (December 17, 2009) in federal court in Spartanburg, South Carolina, for armed bank robbery and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, both violations of federal law. United States District Judge Henry F. Floyd of Spartanburg sentenced WINDSOR to 130 months' imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established thaton February 26, 2009, Windsor entered the Greenville First Bank on Verdae Boulevard in Greenville wearing a mask, wig, hat, and sunglasses. While brandishing a gun, he approached a bank employee and forced her to go into an office where he presented a demand note. The typed three-page note indicated that the robber was part of an organization that had the bank surrounded and, unless the employee did exactly as she was instructed, they would kill her. The robber also indicated he was aware of other bank employees’ relatives and their locations, and unless his demands were met, they would be harmed. Several individuals had seen Windsor enter the bank wearing the disguise and called 911 to report a robbery. Law enforcement responded and surrounded the bank. Windsor was arrested after a brief stand-off.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, the Greenville Police Department, and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jeanne Howard of the Greenville office handled the case.