A 55-year-old Portland man has been dealt a 151-month federal prison sentence for his actions in an armed bank robbery, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. James Michael Wallace, previously convicted of a similar crime, returned to his old ways on February 28, when he terrorized a teller at a KeyBank branch with a loaded firearm.
James Wallace, who the court recognizes as a career offender, approached a bank employee and pressed the loaded weapon against their torso, which led to a demand to access the cash drawer. The teller complied, and Wallace fled the scene with $856 in hand, curiously leaving behind his gun. Wallace’s escape took an unexpected turn given his prior bank robbery conviction and ongoing federal supervision. According to released information, he was already under federal oversight at the time of the robbery.
The U.S. Attorney's Office details that on August 27, Wallace pled guilty to armed bank robbery. His actions, investigated by the Portland Police Bureau and the FBI, have also saddled him with the responsibility to pay restitution in the amount of $6,437—the aggregate losses from this robbery and others.
Wallace's sentence does not solely consist of confinement; upon completing his federal prison term, he will also serve five years of supervised release. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. Rykken.
