James L. Santelle, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, today announced that Michael J. Scott (age 37), of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was sentenced by the Honorable J.P. Stadtmueller to 65 months’ imprisonment for his commission of 10 bank robberies in the Eastern District of Wisconsin between April 23, 2012, and July 13, 2012. Specifically, Scott robbed the Johnson Bank in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on April 23, 2012; the PNC Bank in West Bend, Wisconsin, on May 5, 2012; the Hometown Bank in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on May 18, 2012; the M&I Bank (now BMO Harris Bank) in Richfield, Wisconsin, on May 31, 2012; the US Bank in Hartford, Wisconsin, on June 11, 2012; the National Exchange Bank in Westfield, Wisconsin, on June 15, 2012; the Associated Bank in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, on June 27, 2012; the Chase Bank in Delafield, Wisconsin, on July 3, 2012; the M&I Bank in Germantown, Wisconsin, on July 9, 2012; and the US Bank in Germantown, Wisconsin, on July 13, 2012. During each of the robberies, Scott presented a note to a bank teller demanding $5,000 or $10,000 in bundles and no alarms. Collectively, Scott obtained $28,150 in bank robbery proceeds.

On September 19, 2012, Scott pled guilty to the ten count indictment. His advisory sentencing guideline range was calculated at 63 - 78 months’ imprisonment. Primarily citing concerns about prison-overcrowding, Judge Stadtmueller imposed a sentence of 65 months’ imprisonment to run consecutive to the sentence Scott receives in a pending Dodge County Circuit Court case. The United States objected to the district court’s decision to base its sentence principally upon the belief that the executive branch has not adequately addressed the issue of overcrowded federal prisons. The United States argued instead that that the serious nature of the offenses committed and the emotional trauma suffered by the bank robbery victims, some of whom were present at the hearing, were the appropriate bases upon which a lengthier sentence may have been imposed–consistent with the sentencing factors set forth in the relevant federal statute.

In announcing the sentence, Santelle stated: “The prosecution of this important case and the investigation on which it was premised reflect the continuing commitment of the Justice Department to address violent crime of all types in our community, including bank robberies.” Santelle continued: “The trauma suffered by the victim tellers is profound and long-lasting, and we will continue to bring to justice those individuals who threaten them and, more broadly, the well-being of our entire population.” Santelle also specifically commented on “the excellent, targeted work of the federal, state, and local investigative agencies that partnered with our office in accomplishing justice.”

The prosecution of this case was the result of a joint investigation by several local law enforcement agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelly B. Watzka.

 

 

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