BOSTON - Two men from Fall River were charged today in federal court with armed bank robbery in connection with an armed hold-up of the Rockland Trust branch on Brayton Avenue in Fall River.

MICHAEL J. MOLLER, 32, and PAUL J. CURTIS, 26, were charged in connection with an armed bank robbery of the Rockland Trust branch at 855 Brayton Avenue. The robbery occurred on August 31. The men allegedly made off with just over $1,700 after brandishing a dangerous weapon.

“The investigation and prosecution of armed bank robberies remain a priority of federal law enforcement,” said U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz. “These crimes have a profound impact on those who have had to face and armed man demanding money, and affect the fundamental security of our banking system.”

If convicted on these charges, the defendants each face up to 25 years incarceration to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Richard DeLaurier, Special Agent in Charge of the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Fall River Police Chief Daniel Racine made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John T. McNeil in Ortiz's Criminal Division.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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