Simpson Man Charged With Armed Bank Robbery

SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that John C. Ryall, age 38, of Simpson, Pennsylvania, was indicted on November 7, 2017, by a federal grand jury and charged with armed bank robbery.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Ryall robbed the Honesdale National Bank in Scott Township, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 2017.  Ryall obtained $5,255, but was restrained by a bank customer, and taken into custody by the Scott Township Police Department shortly thereafter.  Ryall brandished a CO2 BB-gun during the robbery.

The matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and by the Scott Township Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Caraballo is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalties under federal law for the charge is 25 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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