Defendant Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison for Robbing Three Silver Spring Banks

Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Morris Thweatt, age 47, of Silver Spring, Maryland today to 80 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for three bank robberies.  Judge Grimm also entered an order that Thweatt forfeit and pay restitution of $22,773, the total amount that he stole.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Kevin Perkins of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Chief Mark A. Magaw of the Prince George’s County Police Department. 

According to his plea agreement, Thweatt robbed three banks in Silver Spring, wearing various disguises, and handing the bank tellers notes that stated that he had a bomb.

On June 10, 2014, Thweatt told a teller at Capital One Bank located on Tech Road that he had an explosive device, and demanded money.  The “device” was in fact a canister with a radio wire.  Thweatt stole $4,500 and fled.

On July 2, 2014, Thweatt told a teller at Capital One Bank located on University Boulevard that he was going to light a device he was carrying on fire.  The “device” was in fact a plastic bag with an electrical wire wrapped in aluminum foil attached to the bag.  Thweatt stole $8,075 and fled.

On July 22, 2014, Thweatt threatened a teller at Bank of America located on Colesville Road with a fake improvised explosive device, stating that he was going to blow the place up.  Thweatt stole $10,198 and fled.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the FBI and Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel C. Gardner, who prosecuted the case.