Syracuse Man James Chisholm Gets 7.5 Years for Double Bank Heist

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK — James Chisholm, 27, of Syracuse, New York, is headed to federal prison for 90 months after robbing the same Chase Bank branch twice in five days — a brazen spree that ended with him walking away with $3,242 in stolen cash. The sentence, handed down today, reflects the severity of repeat armed robbery and Chisholm’s escalating criminal pattern.

U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Andrew W. Vale, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albany Division, confirmed the sentencing in a joint statement. Chisholm targeted the Chase Bank at 801 James Street, striking first on March 12, 2016, when he passed a demand note to a teller and fled with $489. Just four days later, on March 16, he returned — same bank, same method — and walked out with $2,753.

Sentencing was presided over by Senior U.S. District Judge Norman A. Mordue, who emphasized the danger posed by Chisholm’s criminal history. “This sentence is necessary,” Judge Mordue stated, citing Chisholm’s “history of robberies involving violence and the use of weapons.” The judge underscored that repeat offenses, especially those involving financial institutions, carry steep consequences under federal law.

In addition to 90 months behind bars, Chisholm was sentenced to a mandatory 3-year term of supervised release upon his eventual freedom. He was also ordered to pay full restitution — $3,242 — to Chase Bank, the total amount stolen during both robberies. The funds will be sought through court-ordered repayment, though victims of such crimes rarely see full recovery.

Chisholm pleaded guilty on September 8, 2016, to two counts of bank robbery, admitting in court records that he knowingly entered the financial institution, passed a written demand to a teller, and took cash under threat. Though no shots were fired, the presence of a weapon during one or more of the incidents elevated the charges and contributed to the length of the sentence.

The case was jointly investigated by the FBI and the Syracuse Police Department, a collaboration that helped track down surveillance footage, transaction records, and witness statements leading to Chisholm’s arrest. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert S. Levine handled the prosecution, securing a conviction that sent a message: hit the same bank twice, and the feds will hit back harder.