PHILADELPHIA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ROBBING JOHNSTOWN BANK
United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, March 12, 2009, that George Douglas Alston, a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court in Johnstown to a charge of bank robbery.
Alston, age 42, pleaded guilty to the indictment before United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.
In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines advised the court that Alston robbed the First Commonwealth Bank located at 217 Franklin Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, of approximately $721.00 on February 13, 2008.
Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for July 16, 2009, at 10:30 a. m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
The Southwest Pennsylvania Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of law enforcement officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cambria County Drug Task Force, Johnstown Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and the Richland Township Police Department, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Alston.
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