BISMARCK, ND—U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on January 26, 2015, Sean Michael Nichols, 38, of Bismarck, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of bank robbery. Nichols pleaded guilty to the charge on September 23, 2014.

Judge Hovland sentenced Nichols to 12 years and seven months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Nichols was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund and restitution to Dakota Community Bank.

On May 6, 2014, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Nichols entered Dakota Community Bank, 1727 State St., Bismarck, North Dakota and demanded money and left the bank with money. No weapon was possessed or used. Police were able to develop Nichols as a suspect based upon witness information who saw an individual pass through a yard in the area and informed law enforcement officials that the person got into a certain type of vehicle. Nichols was located and arrested later that day and was found to be in possession of a portion of the stolen money.

The case was investigated by the Bismarck Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hagler prosecuted the case.