Convicted Bank Robber Sentenced to Over 15 years in Prison for Robbing Bank of America in Pleasanton

OAKLAND – Royland Rice was sentenced yesterday to 15 ½ years in prison for bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag.

Rice, who had no plea agreement with the government, pleaded guilty on February 28, 2013, to the bank robbery charge. During the plea hearing, Rice admitted that he robbed the Bank of America branch at 6005 Stoneridge Drive in Pleasanton, Calif., on September 11, 2012. He confessed to handing the victim teller a note that said, “We know where you live and hand over the money,” and to stealing more than $1700 from the bank.

Rice was captured on video running to, and driving away from, the bank robbery scene. On September 19, 2012, officers from the Pleasanton Police Department arrested Rice.

Rice, 62, of Oakland, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 15, 2012. The sentence was handed down by The Honorable Phyllis J. Hamilton, U.S. District Court Judge. In addition to his prison term, Rice was also sentenced to a 3-year period of supervised release.

Brian C. Lewis is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Lin and Janice Pagsanjan. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.