Federal Jury Convicts Indialantic Man Of Armed Bank Robbery And Other Offenses

Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury yesterday found Skyler Christian Awad (27, Indialantic) guilty of bank robbery, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, attempted robbery affecting interstate commerce, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and other related firearm offenses. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years, followed by a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least 5 years, in federal prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 13, 2017.

Awad was indicted on September 15, 2016.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, between May 12, 2016, and May 16, 2016, Awad went on a crime spree in Brevard County, when he stole a loaded .22 caliber revolver from a residence in West Melbourne. Four days later, he entered a Subway restaurant in Melbourne and attempted to rob the establishment while armed with a knife. Later that same day, he entered and robbed a TD Bank by threatening to shoot a bank teller. Law enforcement subsequently located Awad, where he then led them on a high-speed chase through residential areas and across busy intersections until he was stopped. Upon apprehension, officers recovered the stolen .22 caliber revolver and the bank money from Awad’s vehicle. As a convicted felon, Awad was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.   

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Melbourne Police Department, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Bay Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew C. Searle and Chauncey A. Bratt.