Myrtle Beach-Area Bank Robber Sentenced

COLUMBIA, SC—United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated today that Anthony Joseph Jennings, age 44, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Florence, South Carolina, for armed bank robbery, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) and (d), and for use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten, of Florence, sentenced Jennings to 105 months’ imprisonment, five years’ supervised release, and ordered him to pay $18,102 in restitution.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Jennings robbed four Myrtle Beach area banks between February 8 and April 4, 2011. Jennings robbed: Carolina First, 4100 Postal Way, Myrtle Beach, on February 8, 2011; First Citizens Bank on 440 River Oaks Drive, Myrtle Beach, on May 1, 2011; Carolina First, 1801 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, on March 16, 2011; and BB&T at 2300 Highway 501 East, Conway, South Carolina, on April 4, 2011. In addition to a sentence of imprisonment, Judge Wooten also ordered forfeiture of the $15,700, which was seized when Jennings was arrested.

The case was investigated by the Horry County Police Department and agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II of the Florence office handled the case.