Monday, October 31, 2011

Belvidere Man Pleads Guilty to Robbery of Harris Bank in Belvidere

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ROCKFORD, IL—A Belvidere man pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court to bank robbery. The defendant, Carlos Harris, 39, of Belvidere, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Philip G. Reinhard to the robbery of Harris N.A., 401 Southtowne Drive, Belvidere, Illinois, on Mar. 26, 2011.

According to the written plea agreement, the defendant entered Harris bank on Mar. 26th, wearing a tan Carhartt jacket, approached a teller at the counter, and slid a note with both hands to the teller demanding $50s and $20s and stating he had a gun. Harris then placed his right hand in his jacket pocket and moved it to the top of the teller counter, still in his pocket. After the teller removed cash from the drawer and placed it on the counter, Harris grabbed the cash, put it in his pockets and left the bank.

Harris has been in federal custody since his arrest later that same day. Sentencing has been set for February 23, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.

Bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and full restitution. The court must impose a reasonable sentence guided by the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The guilty plea was announced by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert D. Grant, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Office of Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Belvidere Police Department assisted in the investigation and arrest of Harris.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott R. Paccagnini.

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