U.S. Department
of Justice
Aliquippa Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Sewickley Savings Bank with a Gun
PITTSBURGH - A Beaver County resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal robbery and firearms laws, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.
Herbert Lee Pope, 28, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on February 12, 2016, Herbert Pope walked into the WesBanco Bank located in Ambridge, Pa., and asked a teller if the bank was able to make an overseas wire transfer. The teller instructed Pope that they do not, and Pope exited the bank. Shortly thereafter, the bank was robbed by a lone male in a gray sweat suit, who utilized a small black semi-automatic firearm with a silver barrel. The loss to the bank was $11,128.09. On February 16, 2016, Pope entered the Sewickley Savings Bank in Sewickley, Pa., and asked if the bank was able to do an international wire transfer. The teller informed Pope that the bank did not, and directed Pope to a nearby bank that did do that type of transaction. Pope left the bank, and appropriately 10 minutes later, Pope and another male entered the bank, both utilizing black semi-automatic handguns, vaulted the teller counter, and robbed the bank. The loss to the bank was $3,543.25.
Tyler Bridges, 31, is charged as the other individual involved in the armed bank robberies. Charges against Bridges remain pending.
Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for Pope on May 19, 2017, at 10 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 7 years and up to life in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court ordered that Pope remain in custody.
Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Sewickley Police Department, the Allegheny County Police Department, and the Ambridge Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Herbert Lee Pope.