Just weeks after getting out of custody for a previous heist, Brandon Elder, a 29-year-old Antioch man, went straight back to his old tricks, but this time, his spree has landed him a slot behind bars for over five years. In sentencing that delivered a hard hit against repeat offenders in the Bay Area, United States District Judge James Donato laid down a 63-month prison sentence on Elder for bank robbery, as reported by the United States Attorney's Office.
According to the press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Elder pleaded guilty last December to the charges relating to a daylight robbery he pulled on September 20, 2022. Garbed in head-to-toe black, with blue gloves as the only pop of color, Elder stormed into a Marina District bank and demanded cash before fleeing with $10,000 in tow. His freedom was short-lived as he was nabbed two days later while lifting a PlayStation from a Target with most of the stolen money still in his pocket.
"Repeat offenders like Brandon Elder should not be allowed to continue terrorizing the community," United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey stated. "Enough is enough. This Office will ensure that criminals like Mr. Elder face serious repercussions for their actions." Elder's rap sheet isn't a short read. Prior to this conviction, he was no stranger to the justice system, with a tally of 11 other thefts, including a violent episode that involved slashing a security guard with a box cutter.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation also weighed in on Elder's sentence. FBI's San Francisco Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp, detailed Elder's modus operandi of using threats and intimidation in his criminal endeavors. "His complete disregard for the law demanded justice, and justice he received with this sentence," Tripp told the press, "The FBI will not waver when it comes to preserving the peace of our community by taking dangerous criminals off the streets." In addition to the hard time, Elder awaits a year of supervised release once he gets out of prison.
The case was spearheaded by Assistant U.S. Attorney George Hageman with assistance from Lakisha Holliman, following an investigation by the FBI. Judge Donato showed no hesitation, remanding Elder into custody immediately after his sentencing.
