DALLAS—A Dallas man who admitted that he tried to rob a Bank of America branch in Dallas in 2013 was sentenced yesterday, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

James Samuel Murray, 51, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey to 60 months in federal prison. He has been in custody since his arrest on a related federal criminal complaint filed in October 2013, shortly after the attempted robbery. Murray pleaded guilty in April 2014 to one count of attempted bank robbery.

According to documents filed in the case, on October 8, 2013, Murray entered the Bank of America located at 6166 Retail Road in Dallas with the intent to rob it. Upon entering the bank, Murray approached a teller and presented a note, which stated, in part, "I have a 9 millimetter [sic] Berretta [sic] pistol so do not panick [sic]. … I want all the money out of your register and then go to the day safe or wherever you have to and make sure I get fifty thousand dollars or more and do not waste time! … Also just so you know, I know your full name and where you live and if anything goes wrong with the money I will be seeing you very soon! I did my studying on this bank and you! OK! :-) be happy ok!"

The teller, in fear for her life, removed money from the teller drawer and placed it in a bag behind the counter. The teller then exited the teller area with the money and went to a secure area of the bank where she watched Murray’s actions from a monitor. Shortly afterwards, officers with the Dallas Police Department arrested Murray in the bank lobby, and during a search, officers recovered the robbery note. The bag of money was never delivered to Murray.

The FBI Dallas Violent Crimes Task Force and the Dallas Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Robinson prosecuted.