Bank Robber Sentenced to 29 Years in Federal Prison for Firing Gun at Teller and Customer in Orland Park Heist

CHICAGO — A convicted bank robber has been sentenced to 29 years in federal prison for firing a gun at a teller and customer during a robbery in Orland Park.

CARL P. WILSON pocketed $20,000 from the Oct. 13, 2014, robbery of First Midwest Bank, 11200 W. 143rd St., in Orland Park. During the robbery, Wilson fired a black semi-automatic handgun at a teller and customer, narrowly missing both of them. Wilson, who had an account at the bank, was arrested nine days later after a traffic stop in Joliet.

Wilson, 28, of Joliet, pleaded guilty last year to one count of armed bank robbery, one count of discharging a firearm during the robbery, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin imposed the 29-year sentence Thursday in federal court in Chicago.

The sentencing was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Joliet Police Department provided valuable assistance.

“While any bank robbery is a serious offense, an armed bank robbery in which the perpetrator discharges a firearm is exceptionally serious,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Ankur Srivastava argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum. “Defendant’s crime was violent, motivated by greed, and put lives in danger.”

According to the charges, Wilson entered the bank wearing a dark hood over his head and a dark cloth draped across his face. Displaying the handgun, Wilson jumped over the teller counter and yelled, “Give me the [expletive] money!” As the teller quickly walked to the cash dispenser, Wilson fired the gun, narrowly missing her. Wilson then shot at a customer who was walking into the bank, barely missing him also. After obtaining the money, Wilson jumped back over the counter, exclaiming, “Have a great [expletive] day!” while waiving his gun in the air.

Wilson also admitted robbing a First Midwest Bank branch in Bolingbrook on Aug. 11, 2014. During the Bolingbrook robbery, Wilson opened fire on a teller within approximately five seconds of entering the bank, striking her in the arm.

At the sentencing hearing in federal court, the victim in the Bolingbrook robbery and several witnesses from the Orland Park robbery testified about their harrowing experiences.

The government was represented by Mr. Srivastava.