Grand Forks Bank Robber Pleads Guilty

FARGO - US Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on May 18, 2016, Charlene Mae Corona, 39, Crookston Minn., pled guilty before US District Judge Ralph R. Erickson to two counts of Bank Robbery.

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on September 30, 2015, a female entered the Bremer Bank at 921 North Washington St., in Grand Forks, ND and demanded money from the teller. The female pulled out a knife and pointed it at one of the employees. The employee provided money to the individual who put it into a tote bag. The FBI and Grand Forks Police Department began an investigation.

Then, on October 12, 2015, a female entered the Citizens Community Credit Union at 1215 N. 42nd St. Grand Forks and while displaying a handgun she threw down a black bag and demanded money from a bank teller. Again law enforcement investigated this robbery.

Surveillance video from each of the robberies showed that the same female committed both of the robberies. Law enforcement received tips that the robber was the defendant Charlene Mae Corona. She was later arrested in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Corona faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release on each count. A sentencing will be set before Judge Ralph Erickson in United States District Court in Fargo North Dakota.

This case is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Grand Forks Police Department, Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department, and the Moorhead Police Department.

First Assistant US Attorney Keith Reisenauer prosecuted the case.