2003-07-18 -- Potts, Dennis -- Guilty Plea -- News Release

Delaware Man Pleads Guilty to National Park Bank Robbery

CAMDEN - A Delaware man pleaded guilty today to the armed robbery of a bank in National Park Borough, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Dennis Potts, 33, of Newark, Del., entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson, who scheduled sentencing for Oct. 20. The defendant pleaded guilty to a one-count Information charging bank robbery and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, full restitution in the amount of $3,861, and three years of supervised release upon the completion of any prison term imposed.

At his plea hearing, Potts admitted that on April 2, 2003, he traveled to National Park in Gloucester County, where he once lived, to visit his brothers. He admitted to driving a blue and silver two-tone Chevrolet van that he had stolen approximately one month earlier. Potts stated that when he attempted to visit his brothers they were not at home.

Potts admitted that while driving along Grove Street he passed a bank named The Bank and decided to rob the bank. Potts admitted parking the van at the rear of the building and entering The Bank with a handgun and a nylon bag. Furthermore, Potts admitted that when he entered the bank he waved the gun and announced a robbery and demanded that everyone get down on the floor. Potts also admitted that during the robbery he stated in substance: "This isn't funny; I don't want to shoot anyone, but I will if I have to. As long as everybody does what they have to, we'll be fine; don't hit any alarm."

Potts admitted that he then pointed the gun at a female customer, gave her the bag, and demanded that she fill it with money. According to a criminal complaint filed previously, a bank employee opened a gate for the customer to enter the area behind the cashiers drawers. The customer then took cash from three drawers and gave the bag containing $3,861 back to Potts. Potts admitted that he then left the bank in the stolen van.

The complaint states that a bank employee saw him leave in the van and called the National Park Police Department and gave them a description of the getaway vehicle. The vehicle description was broadcast over police radio and a West Deptford police officer spotted the vehicle as he was responding to assist National Park Police. The West Deptford officer followed and eventually boxed in the van, according to the complaint. Potts exited the van and attempting flee on foot. The officer apprehended Potts, who was in possession of the money and gun.

In the filing of a felony Information, a defendant waives the right to have his or her case presented to a federal grand jury and, instead, pleads guilty to charges presented by the government.

Potts remains in federal detention pending sentencing.

Under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Judge Wolfson will determine Potts' actual sentence based upon a formula that takes into account the severity and characteristics of the offense, and the defendant's criminal history, if any. Parole has been abolished in the federal system. Under Sentencing Guidelines, defendants who are given custodial terms must serve nearly all that time.

Christie credited Special Agents of the FBI's South Jersey Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Lampinski in Philadelphia, and the West Deptford and National Park Police Departments for developing the case against Potts.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Wiener of the U.S. Attorney's Office Criminal Division in Trenton.

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Defense Attorney: Lisa Evans, Esq. Federal Public Defender's Office