Grand Rapids, Michigan - April 13, 2006 - United States Attorney Margaret M. Chiara announced that Mark Scott Epstein, age 52, of Canton, Michigan, was sentenced yesterday to 147 months' imprisonment for the armed robbery of the Fifth/Third Bank in Ada, Michigan, on February 24, 2005, and an 87-month concurrent sentence for the attempted armed robbery of the same bank on July 14, 2005. The Honorable Gordon J. Quist presided over the sentencing.

Mr. Epstein pled guilty on December 6, 2005, to three charges: (1) armed robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a), (d) and (f); (2) use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence (armed bank robbery), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c); and (3) attempted armed bank robbery, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2113(a), (d) and (f).

Judge Quist sentenced Mr. Epstein to 87 months for the armed robbery, with a consecutive sentence of 60 months for using a firearm. Judge Quist sentenced Mr. Epstein to a concurrent term of 87 months for the attempted armed robbery conviction.

Mr. Epstein was arrested July 14, 2005, following an incident at the Ada, Michigan, branch of the Fifth/Third Bank in which bank employees reported to the Kent County Sheriff's Department that an individual matching the description of a man who robbed the bank in February 2005 was in the bank. Mr. Epstein exited the bank and the Sheriff's Deputies attempted to detain him. Mr. Epstein fled the scene in a rented 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, and a high-speed chase ensued during rush-hour traffic. Mr. Epstein's vehicle struck and damaged several marked police cars during the chase, and at one point it crossed a median and entered the on-coming traffic lanes. Recognizing the escalating danger of the situation, Kent County Sheriff's Deputies managed to maneuver their vehicles to box-in Mr. Epstein's vehicle and bring it to a stop. Fortunately, the Deputies' actions prevented anyone from being injured.

During the chase, Mr. Epstein was observed throwing an object out of his vehicle as he crossed the Thornapple River. The object, a loaded 9mm Glock, Model 17, handgun, bounced off the bridge abutment and landed in the roadway. The handgun was quickly recovered by one of the Sheriff's Deputies. The serial number had been obliterated. When arrested, Mr. Epstein was in possession of a wig, a false mustache, dark tinted glasses, and a shoulder holster for a handgun.

On February 24, 2005, Mr. Epstein entered the Fifth/Third Bank in Ada, Michigan, at a few minutes before 5:00 p.m. (closing time), and approached an employee about opening an account. On a ruse, he convinced the employee to take him to the vault to see the safe deposit boxes, at which point he exposed a shotgun and ordered all employees into the vault. Mr. Epstein took $129,000.00 from the vault, confiscated all the employees' cell phones, and locked them in the vault. The deposits of the Fifth/Third Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

As part of his plea agreement, Mr. Epstein agreed to make full restitution to the bank, the Kent County Sheriff's Department, and the rental agency where he rented the 2005 Chevy Trailblazer, and he agreed to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in disclosing all of his assets. In addition to the prison term, Judge Quist ordered Mr. Epstein to make full restitution, totaling $152,591.50. Judge Quist also ordered that Mr. Epstein serve a five-year period of supervised release following his prison term.

Ms. Chiara commended the bravery and quick thinking of the bank employees who stalled Mr. Epstein in the bank long enough for the Kent County Sheriff's Department to arrive on the scene. She also commended the professionalism of the Sheriff's Deputies whose actions prevented any citizens from being injured. Ms. Chiara expressed her appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for its excellent work in investigating this case.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Phillip J. Green.