Chicago Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for the Robbery of Associated Bank in Rockford

ROCKFORD, IL—A Chicago man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala to 70 months in federal prison for the robbery of Associated Bank, 3333 N. Rockton Ave., in Rockford, on May 10, 2011. Gregory E. Lockett, 39, of Chicago, was also sentenced to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison, as well as being ordered to pay restitution of $8,549 and a $100 special assessment.

On Sept. 1, 2011, Lockett pleaded guilty to the robbery, admitting that he entered Associated Bank mid-afternoon on May 10th, wearing a dark cap and sunglasses and carrying something that resembled, but was not, a handgun. Lockett admitted that he displayed the phony handgun to bank employees and customers, demanded money, jumped over the teller counter, opened three cash drawers and took cash from each drawer totaling $8,549. Lockett then jumped back over the counter and ran from the bank.

Lockett also admitted in the plea agreement that in the morning on May 7, 2011, he entered a Mobil gas station and convenience store in Rockford, brandished a silver handgun, demanding the employee remove cash from the cash registers and give it to him. The employee took approximately $80 from two cash registers and handed it to the defendant, who then fled from the store.

The defendant has been in federal custody since he was arrested on May 11, 2011.

The sentencing 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 Rockford Police Department assisted in the investigation.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Love.