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Foster Man Sentenced to 13 Years in Federal Prison for Bank Robbery
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – In a shocking turn of events, James W. Snoke, 49, of Foster, was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison for robbing a Cranston bank while claiming to be armed with an explosive device in November 2011. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith.
According to the investigation, Snoke approached a teller in a Cranston branch office of BankRI on November 18, 2011, demanding that he be given fifties and one hundred dollar bills and no dye packs, while threatening the teller by displaying a device he claimed was a bomb. A second teller was summoned who placed a quantity of cash inside a black bag provided by Snoke. Snoke fled the bank with the bag, which contained $2,365 in cash and the device he claimed was a bomb.
The case was a result of a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies, including the Cranston and Foster Police Departments, Rhode Island State Police, and the FBI. United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha commended the collaboration, stating that it led to the arrest and successful prosecution of Snoke.
At sentencing, Judge Smith also ordered Snoke to serve a consecutive sentence of six months in federal prison for violating the terms of his supervised release after he completed serving a 70-month federal prison sentence imposed in November 2004 for his role as getaway driver during a bank robbery in Providence in February 2004. Snoke was also ordered to serve one year of supervised release upon completion of his most recent prison sentence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch. The FBI’s Boston Field Office, led by Special Agent in Charge Richard Deslauriers, also played a significant role in the investigation.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the effectiveness of collaborative law enforcement efforts in bringing perpetrators to justice.
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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