DENVER — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Colorado), published as received.

DENVER – Richard Canada, age 67, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Marcia S. Krieger to serve 120 months (10 years) in federal prison after earlier pleading guilty to three counts of bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Calvin Shivers.  Chief Judge Krieger ordered the defendant to serve an additional 3 years on supervised release after his prison term.  He was also ordered to pay $20,731.40 in restitution.  Canada appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody and was remanded after its conclusion.

Canada was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on May 7, 2014, and pled guilty before Chief Judge Krieger to three counts of bank robbery on April 10, 2018.  He was sentenced on July 10, 2018. 

According to the stipulated facts in the defendant’s plea agreement, the defendant robbed three banks:

  • On March 28, 2014 at approximately 11:00 a.m., Canada walked into the Chase Bank located at 1125 17th Street in Denver, approaching a teller station.  He opened a folder and slid a handwritten note to the teller, which read:  “This is a robbery.  Empty both drawers.  Don’t try anything or I’ll blow (sic) your head.”  The defendant demanded the return of the note.  He collected cash, placed it in his folder, and quickly exited. 
  • On April 5, 2014 at approximately 9:44 a.m., Canada walked into the Wells Fargo Bank located at 3155 East 1st Avenue in Denver, waiting in line for a teller.  Upon approaching a teller station the defendant slid a note across the counter which read:  “If you give me a dye pack, we both die!  Give me all of your 50s, 100s, 20s both drawers now!”  He eventually told the teller “that’s enough,” taking the money, placing it in a green folder, and walked out of the bank. 
  • On April 18, 2014 at approximately 9:00 a.m., Canada walked into the Wells Fargo Bank located at 6025 Parkway Drive in Commerce City, approaching the teller as the first customer of the day.  He opened a black nylon or cloth binder, and removed a note from the binder.  The note ordered the teller to open the drawer and “put everything in the binder.” 

“Canada’s conduct terrorized bank employees and ordinary citizens just going about their business,” said U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer.  “We don’t tolerate that in Colorado.”

“The conclusion and recent sentencing of this investigation should send a clear signal that bank robberies continue to be a significant problem in our community,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Calvin Shivers. “I would like to extend my appreciation to the Denver and Commerce City Police Departments, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and United States Attorney’s Office for their efforts in this investigation.”

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, with assistance from local law enforcement.  The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly. 

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Office to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.