The “Deposit Slip Bandit” who robbed a Chula Vista bank by writing his demand note on a deposit slip has pleaded guilty and was released on bond.
Sened Beyene Michael, 22, has agreed to pay back all three banks he robbed for a total of $10,037, according to court records.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 28 before U.S. District Court Judge Roger Benitez. Michael posted $30,000 bond on April 18 and lives with his parents in Emerald Hills.
He could face a 20-year maximum sentence in federal prison, but a shorter sentence of five years or less is more in line with federal sentencing guidelines.
Michael pleaded guilty to holding up the Banner Bank, at 279 F St., in Chula Vista on Feb. 16 and taking $960.
The demand note said “I have a gun just give me the money, 100’s, 50’s and 20’s.”
Two other robberies occurred at a bank on Federal Boulevard and the first one was in Pacific Beach on Nov. 28, 2016. Michael won’t be charged with other robberies on condition he pay restitution for the others.
Michael used to work as a bank teller in Pacific Beach in 2015.
The FBI put out surveillance photos of the robber through Crime Stoppers with a $1,000 reward. A tipster said the robber looked like one man who was currently in prison and turned out to be Michael’s brother. They look similar to each other, according to records.
Agents also conducted surveillance on the blue Nissan Versa Michael drove and interviewed people who knew him before his March 21 arrest.
