Indialantic Man Sentenced To 13 Years In Federal Prison For Armed Bank Robbery And Other Offenses

Orlando, Florida – United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. yesterday sentenced Skyler Christian Awad (28, Indialantic) to 13 years and one month in federal prison for 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 federal firearm offenses. The Court also ordered Awad to forfeit an H&R (model 949) .22 caliber revolver and rounds of ammunition, which he had used to commit some of the offenses he was convicted of.

Awad was found guilty by a jury on December 22, 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, beginning with the theft of 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 in a vehicle, where he then led them on a high-speed chase through residential areas and across busy intersections until he was stopped. Upon his arrest, 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 was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew C. Searle and Chauncey A. Bratt.