Gloucester County, New Jersey, Man Admits Role In 2015 South Jersey Bank Robbery Spree

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Deptford, New Jersey, man today admitted robbing five New Jersey banks and one Pennsylvania bank between June 2015 and September 2015, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Michael A. Fanelli, a/k/a Michael Carducci, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Reneé Marie Bumb in Camden federal court to an information charging him with six counts of bank robbery.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Fanelli robbed the following banks on the dates set forth below:

Fanelli typically robbed each bank by approaching a teller, displaying what appeared to be a firearm, and demanding money.

Fanelli robbed the same Susquehanna Bank on July 28, 2015 and August 21, 2015. Immediately following his robbery of National Penn Bank on Sept. 24, 2015, Fanelli was followed by law enforcement officers to his residence, where he was taken into custody. 

Each bank robbery count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is set for June 17, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents of the FBI’s South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge William F. Sweeney in Philadelphia, with the investigation leading to today’s plea. He also thanked the West Deptford, Harrison Township, and Florence Township police departments, as well as the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police for their assistance.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin C. Danilewitz of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.

Defense counsel: Lisa Lewis Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender