United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

ARMED BANK ROBBER SENTENCED TO NEARLY 20 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JOSEPH PARSON, 30, last residing on Valley Street in New Haven, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to 235 months of imprisonment for committing three armed bank robberies, and for violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release stemming from a previous federal conviction.  On March 25, 2009, PARSON pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on March 19, 2008, PARSON participated in an armed bank robbery of the TD Banknorth at 951 Stratford Avenue in Stratford.  On that date, PARSON entered the bank and, after a short period, pointed a firearm at a bank teller.  A second individual came into the bank, vaulted the teller counter, and took money from the tellers’ cash drawers.  PARSON and the second individual then left the bank with approximately $19,799.

On May 22, 2008, PARSON and another individual committed a robbery of the Wachovia Bank at 1409 Middletown Avenue in North Branford.  On that date, PARSON pointed a firearm at bank employees and customers and remained in the customer area while the other individual climbed over the teller counter and gathered money.  A total of $27,486 was taken.

On July 5, 2008, PARSON and another individual committed a robbery of the TD Banknorth at 620 West Main Street in Branford.  On that date, PARSON pointed a firearm at bank employees and customers and remained in the customer area while the other individual climbed over the teller counter and gathered money.  A total of $24,240 was taken.

PARSON also has pleaded guilty in state court to charges related to his participation in the August 7, 2008, robbery of the Naugatuck Savings Bank in Prospect.

On April 29, 2002, PARSON was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport to 80 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.  PARSON’s term of supervised release commenced on June 7, 2007.  Today, Judge Bryant sentenced PARSON to 223 months of imprisonment for committing the bank robberies, and a consecutive 12-month term of imprisonment for violating the terms and conditions of his supervised release.

PARSON has been detained since his arrest by state and federal authorities on September 8, 2008, in New Haven.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut State Police, and the Stratford, Branford and North Branford Police Departments.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David T. Huang.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov