Tampa Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Two Charlotte County Armed Bank Robberies

FORT MYERS, FL—United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that Kevin Franklin Stone (48, Tampa) today pleaded guilty to armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Stone faces a mandatory minimum term of seven years up to life in federal prison.

According to the plea agreement, on July 7, 2010, Stone entered the RBC Bank located at 24123 Peachland Boulevard, Port Charlotte. He walked passed three tellers at their teller stations and went directly into an employee’s office. Stone had a handgun in his waistband that was visible to the bank employee. Stone then put the gun to the employee’s back and forced her out of her office and up to the teller stations. He demanded money from the tellers, and instructed them not to push any buttons and not to put any dye packs in with the money, or he would kill the bank employee. The tellers complied with Stone’s demands and placed money into his backpack. He then ran out of the bank with the stolen money.

On March 17, 2011, Stone entered the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union, located at 2310 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, wearing a surgical mask, gloves, and a straw hat. He raised a gun, pointed the pistol around the bank, and made everyone get on the floor. He demanded money from each teller. Stone repeatedly banged his gun on the counter as he made his demands. He put the money from the tellers in a backpack and then ran out of the bank, and drove away.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force, the Punta Gorda Police Department, and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey F. Michelland.