Indianapolis Man Sentenced for Holding Hostage at Gunpoint in Bank Robbery

Hogsett Announces More Results in Violent Crime Initiative

INDIANAPOLIS—Joseph H. Hogsett, United States Attorney, announced today that Leon Fuller, 24, Indianapolis, was sentenced to 130 months in prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Larry J. McKinney following his guilty plea to armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm in connection with a crime of violence. This case was the result of a six month investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership of federal and local law enforcement dedicated to fighting violent crime.

On February 24, 2010, Leon Fuller robbed the Teachers Credit Union located at 5130 West 71st Street in Indianapolis. During the robbery, Fuller walked into the credit union and approached a customer and touched her in the back area and stated, “You come over here baby!” Fuller then removed a handgun from his pocket and again stated, “Come with me.” The customer was then forced by Fuller to walk up to the teller counter. Once at the counter Fuller told a bank teller, “Give me your money!” Come on!“. After obtaining U.S. Currency from the credit union the robber fled on foot.

FBI and Task Force Officers conducted an immediate investigation into the robbery and determined that a possible suspect was Leon Fuller. Within two hours of the robbery, FBI officials conducting a surveillance operation observed Leon Fuller walking in an apartment complex near his residential address. Fuller was witnessed by FBI officials wearing clothing very similar in description to that of the credit union robber. FBI officials approached Fuller and observed him to be in possession of a large amount of cash in his coat pocket which was clearly visible. Fuller gave FBI officials permission to inspect the currency which totaled $10,000.00. Officers then searched Fuller’s apartment, finding an additional $4,528. The FBI was able to determine that the money came from the Teachers Credit Union.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, who prosecuted the case for the government, Judge McKinney also imposed five years’ supervised release following Fuller’s release from prison.