Press Release
Serial Bank Robber Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia
RICHMOND, Va. – Justin Chamberlain, 28, of Chesterfield, was sentenced yesterday to 181 months in prison for four armed bank robberies. Chamberlain was also ordered to pay $54,308 in restitution to Wells Fargo Bank and $4,650 in restitution to Argent Federal Credit Union.
Chamberlain pleaded guilty on February 26 to four counts of armed bank robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to one of those robberies. According to court documents, on June 27, 2015, Chamberlain entered the Well Fargo Bank branch on Amberdale Drive in Chesterfield wearing a mask and pointed what appeared to be a pistol at one of the tellers. Chamberlain stated, “Empty the drawers and no one gets hurt.” The teller, concerned for her safety and the safety of others in the bank, turned over $6,674 to Chamberlain.
Chamberlain returned to the same Wells Fargo branch on July 18, 2015, again wearing a mask. This time he brandished a pistol grip shotgun and stated, “You know the drill.” Tellers turned over $22,800.
On Aug. 27, 2015, Chamberlain, carrying the same shotgun and again wearing a mask, robbed the Argent Federal Credit Union in Northern Chesterfield. While brandishing the gun, he told the teller to, “Put everything in the bag” that he provided. Afraid for her safety, the teller complied, turning over $4,650 to Chamberlain.
Chamberlain returned to the Wells Fargo Bank branch for the third time on Nov. 12, 2015. Once again he wore a mask, pointed what appeared to be a pistol at a teller, and directed all inside the bank to raise their hands above their heads. The teller provided $24,834 to Chamberlain. In addition to the money, however, the teller also gave Chamberlain a GPS tracking device. Chesterfield Police officers and the FBI followed the signal to Chamberlain’s residence, where they recovered the money Chamberlain had stolen from the Wells Fargo Bank earlier that day.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; and Adam S. Lee, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office; and Colonel Thierry G. Dupuis, Chief of the Chesterfield Police Department, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Payne. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen W. Miller prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 3:16CR13.
Updated May 31, 2016
Topic
Violent Crime