A Paterson man admitted robbing a TD Bank in Paterson in June 2017 and an Investors Bank in Clifton in July 2017, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
According to authorities, James M. Chestnut, 62, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls in Newark federal court to an information charging him with two counts of bank robbery.
According to the documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On June 30, 2017, Chestnut entered a TD Bank in Paterson and handed a teller a note stating “Put 100s and 50s in the envelope. No dye pack.”
On July 5, 2017, Chestnut entered an Investors Bank in Clifton and approached a teller, this time brandishing what appeared to be a firearm. He told the teller to “Open your drawer. Give me your money. All the 100s. Don’t call the cops or I’ll shoot you.”
During the plea, Chestnut also admitted attempting to rob a Chase Bank in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, on July 3, 2017.
Both bank robbery counts carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2018.