Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Northern District of Ohio

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Two men charged with using firearms to rob Cleveland bank

A federal grand jury indicted James J. Stites-Bray, 23, and Darnell E. Cosper, Jr., 18, both of Cleveland, for the armed robbery of a bank, said Carole S. Rendon, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

The indictment alleges that on November 16, 2015, Stites-Bray and Cosper entered the Fifth Third Bank located at 972 East 185 Street in Cleveland, and robbed the bank of $5,983. Both men carried a handgun, which they brandished and used in furtherance of the bank robbery, accordign to the indictment.

Additionally, the indictment further alleges that on November 25, 2016, Stites-Bray was arrested with a .380 caliber pistol, which he could not legally possess due to a prior felony conviction.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation in conjunction with the Cleveland Division of Police, the Lakewood Police Department and the RTA Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin R. Filiatraut.

If convicted, the defendants’ sentences will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial, in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.