Armed Bank Robber Pleads Guilty to Robbing Mechanics Bank in Pinole, California

OAKLAND – Gary Casdell Fite, II, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of that crime, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag.

In pleading guilty, Fite admitted to robbing the Mechanics Bank on Pinole Valley Boulevard in Pinole, Calif., on March 1, 2013. According to the plea agreement, Fite jumped over the teller counter and demanded money from two victim tellers. While demanding money, Fite pointed his loaded gun at the head of one of the tellers. Fite stole $3,292 from the bank.

Fite, 23, of Oakland, was indicted by a federal Grand Jury on March 28, 2013. He was charged with armed bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) and (d), and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). Under the plea agreement, Fite pleaded guilty to both counts. Co-defendant and getaway driver Regina Dean, 37, of Antioch, pleaded guilty on May 15, 2013, to aiding and abetting the armed robbery, without a plea agreement.

Fite is currently in federal custody. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 4, 2013, before U.S. District Court Judge Phyllis J. Hamilton. Dean’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 21, 2013. The maximum sentence for armed bank robbery is 25 years in prison, and the maximum sentence for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence is life in prison, with a minimum sentence of 7 years. However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Brian C. Lewis is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Janice Pagsanjan. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.