Four Area Men Arrested on Federal Bank Robbery Charges

FORT MYERS, FL—United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces the arrests of Michael James Harrell (31, Fort Myers) and Matthew Rollins (26, Fort Myers) on charges of armed bank robbery, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and attempted bank robbery. Maurice Andre Colbert (27, Fort Myers) and Victor Dongrel Wilson (22, Fort Myers) were arrested and charged with attempted bank robbery. The four men were charged by criminal complaints in federal court on October 7, 2011. If convicted on these charges, Harrell and Rollins face a maximum of life in federal prison, and fines of up to $250,000, and Colbert and Wilson face a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.

According to the complaints, Harrell and Rollins robbed the Wells Fargo Bank, located at 5765 Lee Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida, at gunpoint on August 12, 2011. On October 3, 2011, Harrell, Rollins, Colbert and Wilson attempted to rob the Capital Bank, located at 15280 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida. The individuals will appear in Federal Court on Saturday, October 8, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. for an initial appearance.

A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

These arrests were the culmination of a thorough and extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Fort Myers Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, and Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Coral Police Department, and the Punta Gorda Police Department. The collaboration and cooperation among these agencies led to these successful arrests. This case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland.