CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - North Carolina, Western), published as received.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Christopher Donte McLean, 37, of Concord, N.C., was sentenced to 78 months in prison today followed by three years of supervised release for armed bank robbery, announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.
According to court documents and the sentencing hearing, on March 26, 2025, McLean entered the branch of Fifth Third Bank located at 2822 South Boulevard in Charlotte. McLean was wearing a hat and a surgical mask. McLean first posed as a customer and inquired about opening a business account. A little while later, McLean pulled out a black handgun, pointed it at bank employees, and demanded $30,000 in U.S. currency. A bank employee gave McLean the cash. Court records show that during the investigation, investigators were able to determine that McLean was the bank robber.
Then on April 17, 2025, McLean entered the Truist Bank branch at 2222 South Blvd and passed a note to the bank teller demanding $40,000. McLean warned the teller that if anyone activated the silent alarm he would shoot. As the teller went to withdraw the cash, the teller hit the alarm and McLean fled the scene. McLean was arrested the following day.
In March 2026, McLean pleaded guilty to armed bank robbery. At the sentencing hearing, McLean was also ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to Fifth Third Bank and $5,000 to a victim. He is in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation to a federal facility.
This investigation was led by the FBI and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.
