Napa Resident Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Bank Robbery Spree

OAKLAND – Joshua James Metoxen was sentenced to five years in prison (to be served consecutive to a two-year state sentence), and ordered to pay $17,251 in restitution for robbing eight banks, announced United States Attorney Melinda Haag and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge David J. Johnson.

Metoxen, 25, of Napa, pleaded guilty on April 2, 2015, to eight counts of bank robbery.  According to the plea agreement, Metoxen admitted to using force or intimidation to rob banks in San Ramon, Middletown, Milpitas, Pleasant Hill, Castro Valley, and Santa Rosa.  Metoxen entered the banks wearing sunglasses and a hooded sweatshirt, approached the victim tellers to ask for change, and presented a note that demanded money.  Metoxen usually made verbal demands and ordered the tellers to comply with his demands.

Metoxen, was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 14, 2014.  He was charged with unarmed robbery of the following banks:

• $2,108 from a U.S. Bank branch in San Ramon, California, on February 23, 2013
• $4,106 from a West America branch in Middletown, California, on February 27, 2013
• $1,350 from a U.S. Bank branch in Milpitas, California, on March 5, 2013
• $4,295 from a Tri-Counties Bank branch in Middletown, California, on March 7, 2013
• $1,479 from a U.S. Bank branch in Pleasant Hill, California, on March 18, 2013
• $1,133 from a U.S. Bank branch in Milpitas, California, on March 20, 2013
• $1,000 from a U.S. Bank branch in Castro Valley, California, on March 21, 2013
• $1,780 from a U.S. Bank branch in Santa Rosa, California, on March 26, 2013

A number of law enforcement bulletins describing the suspect and the cars he used were issued during this multi-agency investigation.  Metoxen was apprehended on March 28, 2013, when he attempted to rob a bank in Novato for the second time in two months.  The teller called 911 while Metoxen was still in the bank.  A Novato detective was able to identify the car being driven by Metoxen as he drove it away from the bank.  Novato police arrested Metoxen on Highway 101.

The sentence was handed down by the Honorable Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, U.S. District Judge.  Judge Gonzalez Rogers also sentenced the defendant to a three year period of supervised release.  Metoxen, who has been in custody since his March 2013 arrest, will begin serving his five year sentence immediately.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christina McCall is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Patty Lau and Vanessa Quant.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Novato Police Department, San Ramon Police Department, Milpitas Police Department, Marin County Sheriff’s Office, Pleasant Hill Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Livermore Police Department, and Santa Rosa Police Department.