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Press Release

Clairton Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Two Southwestern Pennsylvania Banks

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

PITTSBURGH -A former resident of Clairton, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court, on July 7, 2017, to charges of bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

Raymond Zwibel pleaded guilty to two counts before United States District Judge S. David Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that on August 19, 2013, the First Commonwealth Bank in New Alexandria, Pa. was robbed by a white male with a note and no observable firearm. On August 23, 2013, the Citizens Bank in Latrobe, Pa. was robbed by a white male with a note and no observable firearm. On January 30, 2014, the First Commonwealth Bank in West Mifflin, Pa. was robbed by a white male with a note and no observable firearm. Zwibel was identified by police from bank surveillance footage as the robber on January 30, 2014. After waiving Miranda, Zwibel confessed to committing the robberies on August 19, 2013 and January 30, 2014 and to using his girlfriend’s vehicles. Zwibel previously pleaded guilty to the January 30, 2014 bank robbery in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for November 6, 2017, at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $500,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, the court returned Zwibel to the custody of the United States Marshal Service.

Assistant United States Attorney Ross E. Lenhardt is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Zwibel, with valuable assistance from many state and local police departments including the Pennsylvania State Police, the Latrobe Police Department and the West Mifflin Police Department.

Updated July 10, 2017