A Charlotte man is headed to federal prison for seven years after prosecutors say he played getaway driver in a botched bank robbery that involved a 16-year-old and a handgun. The robbery unfolded on May 2, 2024, at a Wells Fargo branch on the 9400 block of Pineville-Matthews Road, according to court filings. Authorities say the alleged mastermind and the teen did not get far. Both were stopped shortly after the heist and arrested during a traffic stop.
Federal charges and plea
Michael Malik Pringle, 32, pleaded guilty on June 4, 2025, to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. A judge sentenced him to seven years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, as reported by Queen City News. The outlet reports the Department of Justice said Pringle is in federal custody and will be transferred to the Bureau of Prisons once a facility is selected.
How the robbery unfolded
Court documents state that Pringle picked up the juvenile in a rented vehicle, handed him a handgun and a black bag, and then drove him to the bank. Inside, the teen reportedly demanded cash from tellers. A teller put roughly $18,000 into the bag before the pair took off, according to filings. Officers later pulled the vehicle over and said they found cash scattered in the backseat during the traffic stop. Local coverage noted that investigators recovered a loaded handgun from the driver-side door and charged Pringle with several felony counts tied to the incident, per WBTV.
Sentence and custody
Pringle’s seven year term comes from his guilty plea to the federal firearm count and related aiding and abetting allegations. After he completes his prison time, he will serve three years of supervised release, according to Queen City News. For now, he remains in federal custody as officials arrange his transfer to a Bureau of Prisons facility.
Federal charges explained
The firearm charge that Pringle admitted to is not a minor add-on. Under federal law, 18 U.S.C. §924(c) requires a separate mandatory minimum sentence that sits on top of any punishment for the underlying violent crime. The statute sets a five year minimum for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime, seven years if the firearm is brandished, and 10 years if it is discharged, according to the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School.
Why federal prosecutors get involved
Federal prosecutors say they treat cases involving adults who arm or recruit juveniles for violent crimes as especially serious because of the risk to bank workers and the public. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte has brought similar prosecutions before, including cases where adults recruited teenagers and served as getaway drivers, according to prior Department of Justice press releases.
Officials have not released additional public details about how the juvenile in this case will be handled in court or where he is being held. Future court records are expected to show the teen’s next scheduled appearances. For now, the case remains under federal supervision while authorities finalize transfer and placement for Pringle’s sentence.
