United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, December 30, 2008, that Rodney Stefek of Warren, Ohio, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of committing a bank robbery in violation of federal law.

The one-count indictment named Stefek, age 43, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment presented to the court, on December 8, 2008, Stefek, by force, violence, and intimidation took over $3,000.00 from the Citizens Bank located at 3390 East State Street, Hermitage, Pennsylvania.

Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, 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 Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Hermitage Police Department, the Howland Township (Ohio) Police Department, and the Niles (Ohio) Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

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 United States must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.