Brentwood Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery

CONCORD - Michael  Holt, 49, of Brentwood, pleaded guilty in federal court to bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Scott W. Murray.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on January 13, 2018, Michael Holt walked into a TD Bank branch in Stratham, New Hampshire, and gave a teller a note claiming that he had a gun and demanding money.  The teller gave Holt a quantity of United States currency.  On January 19, 2018, Holt entered a People's United Bank branch in Exeter, New Hampshire, and again gave a teller a note stating that he had a gun and demanding money.  He again received a quantity of United States currency.  Comparing bank surveillance video of each offense and witness descriptions allowed Stratham and Exeter police to determine that the same person had committed both crimes.  Images from the bank surveillance videos were broadcast on local news outlets and distributed via social media, leading to the identification of Holt, who was apprehended soon after.       

Holt is scheduled to be sentenced on August 30, 2018.

“Bank robberies are violent crimes that often can jeopardize the safety of bank employees, customers, and other members of the community,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with the law enforcement community to combat violent crimes such as bank robberies.  By combatting violent crime, our goal is ensure that the citizens of the Granite State feel safe in their local communities.”     

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Stratham Police Department, and Exeter Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Dronzek.