Rockford Man Sentenced to 13 Years for the Robberies of Rockford Banks and a Stamp Store

ROCKFORD — A Rockford man was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala to 13 years in federal prison for bank robbery, robbery affecting interstate commerce, and a related firearm charge.

DAVID J. SANDERS, 34, was sentenced to 96 months for the robbery of BMO Harris Bank, 1480 South Alpine Rd., in Rockford, on May 31, 2016, and the robbery of Rockford Coin and Stamps, 4402 Center Terrace, in Rockford, on June 11, 2016, to be served concurrently. In addition, the Court sentenced Sanders to serve a consecutive term of 60 months’ imprisonment for using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of the robbery on June 11, 2016. After serving his sentence in federal prison, Sanders will be placed on three years of supervised release.

Sanders pleaded guilty to the charges on March 1, 2017. According to the written plea agreement, on May 31, 2016, Sanders attempted to rob a different BMO Harris Bank branch, located at 2510 South Alpine Rd. in Rockford. Sanders approached the branch manager and pulled a note out of his pocket that stated he had a gun and demanded money. However, when a bank employee came out of a door into the lobby, Sanders took the note and walked out.

A short time later, Sanders entered the BMO Harris Bank at 1480 South Alpine, approached the teller counter and was greeted by the bank manager. Sanders handed the bank manager a note that stated, “I have a gun give me 1000.” The bank manager said she could not give Sanders money, and when she attempted to keep the note, Sanders took it away from the manager and said, “I want $1,000.” The manager opened the teller drawer and gave Sanders $2,260. Sanders then left the bank.

Sanders further admitted in the plea agreement that on June 11, 2016, he entered Rockford Coin and Stamps, 4402 Center Terr., in Rockford. Sanders admitted he walked behind the display counter and obtained a Remington pistol-grip shotgun with five live shells attached to the side of it. Sanders admitted that while holding the shotgun he demanded money. An employee gave Sanders approximately $500. Sanders then fled with the money and the shotgun.

Sanders also stipulated and admitted in the plea agreement to robbing PNC Bank, 4615 East State St., in Rockford, of approximately $3,010, on June 14, 2016.

As part of his sentence, Sanders was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,260 to BMO Harris Bank, $500 to Rockford Coin and Stamps, and $3,010 to PNC Bank.

The sentencing was announced by Joel R. Levin, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Dan O’Shea, Chief of the Rockford Police Department. The investigation was conducted under the auspices of the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, which includes representatives from the FBI, ATF, Loves Park Police Department, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, and Rockford Police Department.

The government was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph C. Pedersen.