Minneapolis Man Sentenced for Robbing Bank, Four Stores

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 30-year-old Minneapolis man was sentenced for committing a series of armed robberies at various businesses, including a U.S. Bank. United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced Donte McKinley Hollister to 210 months in prison on one count of armed bank robbery. As a part of his plea agreement, Hollister also admitted committing four additional armed robberies that he was charged with under the Hobbs Act. Hollister was indicted on January 11, 2012, and pleaded guilty on September 18, 2012.

In his plea agreement, Hollister admitted that on October 17, 2011, he stole approximately $1,890 from the U.S. Bank located at 2338 Central Avenue in Minneapolis. During the robbery, Hollister brandished a black and silver handgun, vaulted the teller counter, and demanded cash from the teller. After the teller gave him about $1,890, Hollister fled the bank.

In addition, Hollister also admitted that he stole approximately $300 from the Way to Go Sports store in Golden Valley on September 26, 2011; approximately $200 from the Wine Styles store in Medina on September 27, 2011; attempted to steal cash from the Mattress Giant store in Roseville on October 7, 2011; and attempted to steal cash from the Second Wind Exercise Equipment store in St. Louis Park on October 13, 2011. In each of these instances,

Hollister brandished a firearm to threaten store employees. He was arrested on October 17 in connection with the September 26 robbery.

The Hobbs Act, passed by Congress in 1946, allows federal prosecutors to prosecute violent habitual criminals who commit armed robbery in places of business that involve interstate commerce. Federal prosecution of these cases is sometimes beneficial since the penalties are often tougher than under state law. Furthermore, because the federal system has no parole, offenders serve virtually their entire prison sentences behind bars.

The case was the result of an investigation by U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Hennepin County Violent Offenders Task Force; and the police departments of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Medina, Roseville, and St. Louis Park. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin S. Ueland.