Pittsburgh Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Robbery Charges

PITTSBURGH – A Pittsburgh resident pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of bank robbery, Acting United States Attorney Soo C. Song announced today.

William Eger, 52, pleaded guilty to three counts before United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Eger walked into the First National Bank in O'Hara Township on November 17, 2015, and handed the teller a note wherein he advised that he had a gun and demanded money. The loss to First National Bank was $2,648. Then on November 21, 2015, Eger walked into the Huntington National Bank in West Mifflin and handed the teller a note demanding money. The loss to Huntington National Bank was $3,216.00.

On November 24, 2015, Eger walked into the First Niagara Bank in the West End section of Pittsburgh holding his finger up and stating that he had a gun. Eger pulled up his shirt, exposing his waistband area, but when the teller did not see a gun, she advised Eger to leave. Eger then fled the bank without receiving any cash. Police responded to the scene; and, after a brief foot chase, Eger was apprehended and confessed to the robberies. As part of the investigation, agents recovered the notebook that Eger used to write the Huntington National Bank robbery note, as well as a hooded jacket and jeans which matched the description of the items Eger was seen wearing in the bank surveillance video.

Judge Bissoon scheduled sentencing for October 2, 2017. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 25 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Pending sentencing, Judge Bissoon ordered that Eger remain in custody.

Assistant United States Attorney Shanicka L. Kennedy is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Northern Regional Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the prosecution of Eger.