United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, June 4, 2008, that William James Hoffa, Jr., a resident of Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to two separate bank robberies.

Hoffa, age 48, pleaded guilty to two counts before Senior United States District Judge Gustave Diamond.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Soo C. Song advised the court that on December 24, 2007, Hoffa robbed the Parkvale Bank at 173 Morgantown Street, Uniontown, Pennsylvania.  During the robbery, which resulted in the loss of $1490.00, Hoffa used his hand in his pocket to feign possession of a firearm, and told the victim teller, "If I pull it out, I'll use it."  On January 10, 2008, Hoffa was arrested by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the parking lot of the Parkvale Bank at 2591 National Pike, Chalk Hill, Pennsylvania.  On Hoffa's person was a duffle bag and a modified ski mask.  A fake firearm was found in the car.  Hoffa admitted that he intended to rob the Parkvale bank on January 10, 2008, and that he had traveled to the bank the previous day to see whether there were surveillance cameras and to examine the interior layout of the bank, in preparation for the attempted robbery on January 10, 2008.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation learned of Hoffa's intent to rob the Parkvale Bank in Chalk Hill through the cooperation of a confidential source.

Judge Diamond scheduled sentencing for September 3, 2008, at 10:00 AM.  The law provides for a total sentence of 40 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Hoffa will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, together with the  Pennsylvania State Police and City of Uniontown Police, conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hoffa.