Manassas Woman Sentenced to 132 Months for Robberies, Carjackings, and Heroin Distribution

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Stephanie Lynn Schwab, 27, of Manassas, Virginia, was sentenced today to 132 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for carrying out three bank robberies, stealing and carjacking three cars she used in those robberies, and participating in a heroin distribution ring operating out of Manassas. Ms. Schwab was also ordered to pay over $24,000 in restitution.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and James W. McJunkin, Assistant Director in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after sentencing by United States District Judge T.S. Ellis, III. Schwab pleaded guilty on April 5, 2012.

“Stephanie’s Schwab’s reckless crime spree was a risk to the public in many different communities,” said U.S. Attorney MacBride. “Her complete disregard for the law and public safety justifies the lengthy sentence.”

“During a two-week period, Stephanie Schwab committed multiple crimes across various jurisdictions and put the community in danger with her reckless actions,” said Assistant Director in Charge McJunkin. “This sentence is the result of strong law enforcement cooperation to bring her to justice.”

According to a statement of facts filed with her plea agreement, from November 18, 2011 through November 30, 2011, Schwab robbed or attempted to rob three local banks of thousands of dollars, claiming to have a gun and threatening them with violence if they did not comply with her demands. For each robbery, Schwab either stole or took by force a car that she used to travel to and from the crime scene.

In addition, Schwab admitted her participation in a separate case involving a heroin trafficking ring that purchased large supplies of heroin from sources in New York and the Washington, D.C.-metro area and distributed the heroin to customers in Manassas from 2009 through 2011.

Schwab was apprehended by the Fairfax County Police Department following her attempted robbery of a bank on November 30, 2011. After leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase on I-495 onto a local road in Montgomery County, Maryland, she turned the stolen vehicle into oncoming traffic and caused a three-vehicle crash. She tried to flee on foot but was caught and arrested by the pursuing officer.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office; the police departments in Fairfax County, Baltimore County, Prince William County, and Manassas City; and the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Sean P. Tonolli and Lisa Owings and Special Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth N. Eriksen prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.