Federal Jury Deliberates Just 20 Minutes before Convicting Pittsburgh Man of Bank Robbery and Firearms Offenses

PITTSBURGH, PA - After deliberating twenty minutes, a federal jury of twelve men and women found Leonard Gibbons guilty of five counts of violating federal bank robbery and firearms laws, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

Gibbons, age 55, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was tried before Senior United States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Shardul Desai, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that on or about July 17, 2015, Gibbons stole $7,828.00 from the Compass Federal Savings Bank located at 111 Westinghouse Avenue, Wilmerding, Pennsylvania; and on or about November 19, 2015, Gibbons used a firearm to steal $3,971.00 from the First Commonwealth Bank located at 1527 Lincoln Way, White Oak, Pennsylvania. It is unlawful for Gibbons, who has previously been convicted of multiple felony offenses, to possess a firearm. Federal law prohibits a person convicted of a crime punishable by in excess of one year imprisonment from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for July 30, 2018 at 11 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 22 years in prison, a fine of $500,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the McKeesport Police Department, the North Versailles Police Department, the White Oak Police Department, and the Allegheny County Police Department conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Gibbons.