Bank Robber Sentenced to 20 Years

PHILADELPHIA—John Agot Canlas, 25, of Douglasville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 240 months in prison for his participation in a string of 17 bank robberies between July 2008 and October 2008 in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the District of New Jersey, and the District of Delaware. Canlas pleaded guilty October 19, 2009 to conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery, armed bank robbery, and carrying and using a firearm during and in relation of a violent crime. Canlas’ co-defendants, Rasheid Malic Robinson and Marquis Jamal Wicker, also pleaded guilty and were previously sentenced.

In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Eduardo C. Robreno ordered Canlas to pay restitution in the amount of $67,983.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and various state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the District of New Jersey, and the District of Delaware. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Salvatore L. Astolfi.