Federal Jury Finds Bridgeport Man Guilty of Robbing Banks in Milford and Woodbridge

March 4, 2010 - Nora R. Dannehy, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal jury in Bridgeport has found FRANCISCO DEIDA, 46, of Arctic Street, Bridgeport, guilty of two counts of bank robbery. The trial began on February 25 and the jury returned the verdicts this afternoon.

According to the evidence presented during the trial, on January 28, 2009, DEIDA, Domingo Gonzalez, and Henry Crespo robbed the Webster Bank on Merwin Avenue in Milford of $84,259. On April 6, 2009, DEIDA and the two other individuals also robbed the TD Banknorth on Amity Road in Woodbridge of $23,002.

Based on his prior criminal record, which includes state convictions for first degree manslaughter and first degree robbery, DEIDA faces a maximum term of imprisonment for life.

Gonzalez and Crespo have pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery. Gonzalez, who possessed a firearm during the Webster Bank robbery, also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. They also await sentencing.

DEIDA has been detained since his arrest on May 28, 2009.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Milford Police Department, the Woodbridge Police Department, the New Haven Police Department, and the Connecticut State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah P. Karwan.