BOSTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Massachusetts), published as received.
BOSTON – A Boston man pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court in Boston in connection with robbing a Citizens Bank in Brighton.
Kenneth E. Denny, 60, pleaded guilty to one count of armed bank robbery. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Aug. 3, 2016.
On July 24, 2015, a man, dressed in a tan hat, gray wig, blue sports coat, shirt and tie, entered a Citizens Bank on Washington Street in Brighton. Once inside the bank, the man handed the teller a demand note, removed an item which appeared to be a bomb from a newspaper he was carrying, placed it on the teller’s counter, and demanded money. The man was given $4,040, but was confronted by the bank’s manager when he attempted to leave. The man dropped the bag containing the money, removed a white cell phone from his pocket and stated “I am going to blow it up.” The individual then exited the bank and was seen heading down Washington Street.
The Boston Police Bomb Squad arrived and determined that the bomb was a hoax. Inside the bank, law enforcement officers found that the robber had left his wallet on the teller’s counter with a picture ID inside in the name of Kenneth E. Denny. Law enforcement officers recalled that they had observed a man who resembled Denny on Washington Street as they were approaching the bank. A few minutes later, officers located the man and confirmed that his name was Kenneth Denny. Denny was asked to produce identification and stated he must have lost his wallet.
Denny was detained and returned to the bank for a live line-up. Bank employees identified Denny as the man who had robbed them earlier in the day.
The charging statute provides for a sentence of no greater than 25 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, made the announcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth G. Shine of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.
