United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, May 13, 2008, that George Douglas Alston, a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on a charge of bank robbery.

The one-count indictment named Alston, age 42, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the grand jury, Alston robbed the First Commonwealth Bank located at 217 Franklin Street, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, of approximately $721.00 on February 13, 2008.

Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie L. Haines, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The investigation was conducted by members of the Southwest Pennsylvania Safe Streets Task Force, which is comprised of law enforcement officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Cambria County Drug Task Force, Johnstown Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and the Richland Township Police Department.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.