News and Press Releases
Minneapolis man pleads guilty to robbing bank
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2012
MINNEAPOLIS—Today in federal court, a 30-year-old Minneapolis man, Donte McKinley Hollister, pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. The defendant also admitted that he had committed four robberies of various businesses in the metro area. Hollister, who was indicted on January 11, 2012, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.
In his plea agreement, Hollister admitted that on October 17, 2011, he stole approximately $1,890 from the US Bank located at 2338 Central Avenue in Minneapolis. During the robbery, Hollister brandished a black and silver handgun, vaulted the teller counter, and demanded cash from the teller. After the teller gave him about $1,890, Hollister fled the bank.
In addition, Hollister also admitted that he stole approximately $300 from the Way to Go Sports store in Golden Valley on September 26, 2011; approximately $200 from the Wine Styles store in Medina on September 27, 2011; attempted to steal cash from the Mattress Giant store in Roseville on October 7, 2011; and attempted to steal cash from the Second Wind Exercise Equipment store in St. Louis Park on October 13, 2011. In each of these instances, Hollister brandished a firearm to threaten store employees. He was arrested on October 17 in connection to the September 26 robbery.
Hollister faces a potential maximum penalty of 25 years in prison for armed bank robbery. Judge Schiltz will determine his sentence at a future hearing, not yet scheduled.
The case is the result of an investigation by United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hennepin County Violent Offenders Task Force, and the police departments of Brooklyn Park, Golden Valley, Medina, Roseville and St. Louis Park. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin S. Ueland.