Pittsburgh Woman Pleads Guilty in Ligonier Bank Robbery

Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, May 4, 2010, that on May 3, 2010, Sarah Blair, a/k/a Sarah Jay, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of armed bank robbery.

Blair, age 35, pleaded guilty to one count before Senior United States District Judge Alan N. Bloch.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Almon S. Burke, Jr. advised the court that on August 6, 2008, Blair, and others committed an armed robbery of the First Commonwealth Bank on Route 30 in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and escaped in a limousine. As a result of the robbery, Blair and others obtained $76,694.00 in U.S. currency.

Judge Bloch scheduled sentencing for August 26, 2010, at 11:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 25 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ligonier Township Police Department, the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, the New Kensington Police Department, the Ligonier Borough Police Department, the Lower Burrell Police Department, and the Derry Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Sarah Blair.