SCRANTON – The grimy streets of Scranton are once again under the shadow of criminal activity as Christian Gonzalez, 23, and Anthony Ocasio, 21, have been hit with a spate of bank robbery charges. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, both men were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 28, 2017.
The duo stands accused of committing three brazen heists in Scranton and Kingston, including a botched attempt in Moosic. The charges are a result of their alleged activities on January 12, 2017, at the Citizens Savings Bank, where they reportedly made off with $2,000; December 27, 2016, when NBT Bank was robbed of $2,550; and December 22, 2016, at Fidelity Bank in Moosic, where Ocasio is also charged with an attempted robbery.
Gonzalez has an additional charge against him, a successful heist on December 5, 2016, at the NBT Bank on Keyser Avenue, where he stole $7,000. The investigation into these crimes is ongoing and is being carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Scranton Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Olshefski is handling the prosecution of this case, which underscores the severity of the allegations against Gonzalez and Ocasio. The defendants are facing significant penalties if convicted, with Gonzalez potentially facing up to 80 years in prison and Ocasio up to 60 years.
It’s worth noting that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The federal sentencing guidelines require the judge to consider various factors when determining a sentence, including the nature of the offense, the defendant’s history, and public safety considerations.
The grimy streets of Scranton have once again been hit by high-profile crime, with Gonzalez and Ocasio facing life-changing charges for their alleged bank robbery spree. The fate of these men now rests in the hands of the justice system.
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Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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