Brooklyn Park Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Inver Grove Heights Credit Union

A 44-year-old Brooklyn Park man pleaded guilty today in federal court in Minneapolis to the October 8, 2009, robbery of the Minnesota Building Trades Federal Credit Union in Inver Grove Heights. Appearing before United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen, Herman Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery. He was indicted on February 16, 2010.

In his plea agreement, Wilson admitted stealing $21,459 from the credit union. He also admitted wearing a disguise that included a hooded sweatshirt, a construction vest, gloves, goggles, and a surgical mask. Moreover, Wilson admitted brandishing a gun during the robbery and threatening to kill tellers if they didn’t provide him with money.

According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the case, the credit union was robbed at 9:30 a.m. on October 8 by a lone man. Employees at the credit union supplied police with a description of the robber as well as the get-away car, which they also reported having seen near the credit union on October 5, 2009.

On December 2, 2009, a search warrant was executed at Wilson’s home, where authorities recovered goggles similar to those worn during the robbery. Wilson’s car also matched the description supplied by credit union employees. Wilson, who was at the home at the time of the search, attempted to flee but was apprehended and arrested.

For his crime, Wilson faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Judge Ericksen will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, with assistance from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the Brooklyn Park Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen.