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Press Release

“Fedora Bandit” Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Bank Robberies and Carjacking

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado

Denver – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces a federal judge sentenced Daniel Wade Shaw, age 32, of Centennial, to 108 months in federal prison for holding up four banks and carjacking a woman.

The defendant admitted in a plea agreement to four counts of bank robbery and one count of carjacking between February 2, 2021, and April 2, 2021. According to the plea agreement filed with the court, the defendant robbed the Wells Fargo on West 52nd Avenue in Arvada wearing a fedora and mask on February 2, 2021. On February 12, 2021, the defendant entered the US Bank on West Bowles Avenue in Littleton, verbally demanding money. Out of fear, the victim teller complied with the demand. The defendant ran off. He was observed wearing a light tan fedora, a blue surgical mask, and a dark coat. A search of the area surrounding the bank located the tan fedora hat and blue surgical mask. The hat was later tested for DNA, and it matched a DNA profile from a swab obtained from the defendant. 

According to the plea agreement, detectives executed search warrants during the investigation, and records obtained from Google showed the defendant’s phone at or near several other bank robberies, including the Wells Fargo Bank located at 6722 S. University Boulevard on March 22, 2021, and the 1st Bank at 10367 Federal Boulevard in Westminster on March 23, 2021, where he threatened to use a gun. Gmail records show the defendant at both scenes at the time of the robbery.

According to the plea agreement, on March 30, 2021, the defendant approached a woman who was filling up washer fluid in her vehicle. The defendant got into her car, pointed a handgun in her direction, cycled the slide, and motioned for the victim to step away. Out of fear, the victim complied. The defendant took the car and fled the area. Gmail records show the defendant’s phone near the scene at the time of the carjacking.

On April 4, 2021, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies contacted Daniel Shaw outside his residence and arrested him on an active search warrant. A search of the residence and found items of evidence related to some of the bank robberies. They also found a stolen car that had been used in several robberies.

“This defendant left a trail of terrified victims, who were just doing their jobs and going about their daily lives. This lengthy sentence will not make those victims whole again, but it does send a clear message that we will prosecute criminals who rob innocent people of their peace of mind,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan. “We appreciate our federal and state partners who work tirelessly to take repeat offenders off the streets.”

“Bank robbery is not a victimless crime. Bank personnel and customers can be traumatized, and of course, we all pay for the loss and the increased security measures,” said Special Agent in Charge Michael H. Schneider of the Denver FBI Field Office. “This defendant did not learn his lesson the first time, and today's sentence will hopefully provide him with more time in prison to reflect upon his criminal conduct.”

“Violent crimes are on the rise in the Denver metro area. Our investigators, crime lab, and all other supporting resources are crucial to not only prosecuting these suspects, but to also helping the victims of violent crime. While we celebrate the outcome of this case, we remain focused and relentless in our pursuit to bring more violent criminals to justice,” said Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader.

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico imposed a 108-month prison sentenced after a hearing in federal court on April 20, 2022.

Case 21-cr-00109 was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn. The charges were the result of an investigation by the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Contact

Deborah Takahara
Public Affairs Specialist
720-468-9378
Deborah.takahara@usdoj.gov 

Updated September 2, 2022

Topics
Violent Crime
Firearms Offenses