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June 27, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOWIE MAN CHARGED WITH STEALING ATM MACHINES ARRESTED

IN TENNESSEE WALMART

Off-Duty Law Enforcement Officer Recognizes and Arrests Fletcher

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Tracy D. Fletcher, age 29, of Bowie, Maryland, was arrested Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at a WalMart in Jackson, Tennessee, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. Fletcher was charged in a federal indictment in connection with a conspiracy to commit bank larceny by stealing Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). The indictment, which was returned on March 1, 2006, was unsealed on March 7, 2006, upon the arrest of all the defendants, except Fletcher, who was a fugitive.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation distributed Fletcher's photograph and description to law enforcement agencies around the country who were experiencing similar ATM robberies in their jurisdictions. An off duty law enforcement officer, who was moonlighting as a security guard at the WalMart, recognized Fletcher from his photograph and arrested him.

Fletcher had his initial appearance today in federal court in Tennesse will be returned to Maryland in the next few weeks.

Fletcher and his co-defendants face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the conspiracy count. Fletcher and Eric Thomas, age 48, also of Bowie, also face ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the bank larceny charge.

An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the investigative work performed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Gallagher and Michael Leotta, who are prosecuting the case.

This page last modified—June 27, 2006