ORLANDO, FL – Skyler Christian Awad, 28, of Indialantic, Florida, is headed to federal prison for over a decade after a jury found him guilty of a brazen crime spree culminating in an armed bank robbery. United States District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. handed down a 13-year and one-month sentence yesterday, bringing a harsh end to Awad’s reign of terror in Brevard County.
The sentencing covers a litany of federal charges: bank robbery, carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, attempted robbery affecting interstate commerce, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and multiple other federal firearm offenses. Judge Dalton also ordered Awad to forfeit an H&R (model 949) .22 caliber revolver and the ammunition used in the commission of these crimes – tools of his escalating lawlessness.
The jury’s guilty verdict, delivered on December 22, 2016, followed a presentation of damning evidence detailing Awad’s actions between May 12, 2016, and May 16, 2016. It began with the theft of a loaded .22 caliber revolver from a residence in West Melbourne, a clear signal of escalating intent. Four days later, Awad attempted to rob a Subway restaurant in Melbourne, brandishing a knife and threatening employees. That same day, he upped the ante, entering a TD Bank and threatening to shoot a bank teller during the robbery.
Law enforcement’s pursuit of Awad didn’t end with the bank robbery. After the heist, officers located him in a vehicle, initiating a high-speed chase that snaked through residential neighborhoods and across busy intersections. The chase finally ended, and officers recovered the stolen .22 caliber revolver and the stolen bank money from within Awad’s vehicle. The recovery was particularly damning, as Awad, a convicted felon, was already legally prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition.
Federal investigators built a solid case against Awad, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and supported by the Melbourne Police Department, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Bay Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew C. Searle and Chauncey A. Bratt skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the lengthy sentence that reflects the severity of Awad’s crimes and the danger he posed to the community.
This case serves as a stark reminder that armed robbery carries significant consequences under federal law. Awad’s desperation and disregard for public safety have earned him a substantial prison term, and the forfeiture of his weapon ensures he won’t be terrorizing Brevard County – or anyone else – for the foreseeable future. The streets are a little safer with this predator behind bars.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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