Bank Robber Sentenced to 50 Months

BROWNSVILLE, TX—Martin Antonio Montoya, 22, has been sentenced to 50 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution to the Bank of America in the amount of $1,174.58, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno announced today. U.S. District Judge Hilda Tagle handed down the sentence today and also ordered him to serve a three-year term of supervised release following his release from prison.

On Dec. 13, 2010, Montoya, of Brownsville, Texas, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a black baseball cap, entered the Bank of America in Brownsville, Texas, and waited in line to speak to a bank teller. After approaching the counter, Montoya handed the bank teller a note demanding she give him all her money or else he was going to hurt her as well as everyone in the bank. A total of $1,610 was handed over to Montoya, who then fled the bank.

Montoya’s mother turned him in after video footage from the bank was shown in the local news. Montoya was subsequently arrested at the Red Roof Inn in Brownsville, Texas. A search of Montoya’s residence resulted in the recovery of $435.42 that was taken from the bank.

Montoya pleaded guilty on March 3, 2011. He has been in custody since his arrest where he will remain pending transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI and Brownsville Police Department led the investigation leading to the arrest of Montoya. The case was prosecuted by Jose A. Esquivel, Jr.