Timothy Allen McNeal, Armed Bank Robbery, Maryland 2016

Armed Bank Robbery Suspect Sentenced to 19 Years in Prison

In a verdict that sends a strong message to would-be robbers, a Baltimore man has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for his role in an armed bank robbery in Ellicott City, Maryland. Timothy Allen McNeal, 31, was found guilty of armed robbery, conspiracy, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a federal jury verdict on February 26, 2018.

The crime occurred on August 4, 2016, when McNeal and his brother, Markus Fields, 28, robbed the Howard County Education Federal Credit Union (HCEFCU) at gunpoint. Surveillance video captured the robbery, during which both Fields and McNeal entered the credit union wearing ski masks to cover their faces. Fields entered first, carrying a black backpack, while McNeal entered after, carrying a rifle-style long gun with a large magazine visible on the top.

During the robbery, McNeal pointed the gun at a bank teller and a customer, forcing the victims to the ground. Fields opened the teller drawer and began rifling through it. McNeal then pointed the gun toward the supervisor’s office, forcing the employee inside to exit the office and, ultimately, open the credit union’s safe. After opening the safe, the employee was ordered to the ground, where she remained while McNeal and Fields removed the cash inside.

McNeal and Fields then used zip ties that they had stored in their backpack to tie and restrain the credit union customer and employees. The duo then left the HCEFCU by climbing out of a back window. In the days following the robbery, McNeal and Fields were seen purchasing large televisions and a maroon Lexus with cash, and even paid overdue rent on their residence.

Law enforcement recovered black ski masks, clothing matching the clothing worn by McNeal during the bank robbery, banded cash, and cell phones from Fields and McNeal’s residence during the execution of a search warrant. Co-defendant Fields pleaded guilty to armed bank robbery on February 9, 2018, and was sentenced to ten years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

The investigation into the armed bank robbery was a collaborative effort between the FBI, the ATF, the Howard County Police Department, and the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office. United States Attorney Robert K. Hur commended the agencies involved in the investigation and thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Perry and Burden Walker, who prosecuted the case.

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