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Press Release

Two Men Facing Charges In Separate Bank Robbery Cases

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Ronald Anthony McCarter, Jr., 24, of Lackawanna, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with bank robbery. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Additionally, a federal grand jury has returned an indictment in a separate case charging Laverne Palmer, a/k/a Poogaloo, 25, of Buffalo with bank robbery, entering a bank with intent to commit a larceny, and bank larceny. Those charges also carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the cases, stated that according to the criminal complaint against McCarter, on October 29, 2015, the Key Bank on Broadway Avenue in Lancaster, NY was robbed. An individual entered the bank, approached a teller and passed a note which demanded cash, no dye pack, and no sudden movements. Subsequent investigation identified McCarter as the individual based on bank surveillance photos.

Meanwhile, according to the indictment and a criminal complaint filed previously against Palmer, on October 26, 2015, the Key Bank on George Urban Boulevard in Depew was robbed in what is believed to be a series of connected bank robberies. The defendant entered the bank, approached a teller and passed a note which demanded cash, no dye pack, and no sudden movements. Palmer was identified by investigators in bank surveillance photos. 

McCarter made an initial appearance and Palmer was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer. Both defendants are being held pending further proceedings.

The complaint and indictment are the culmination of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction on the part of Adam S. Cohen, the Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gerald Gill, the Depew Police Department, under the direction of Chief Stan Carwile, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Updated January 7, 2016