Judge sentences man in 3 bank robberies

PITTSBURGH -- A Pittsburgh man will serve more than 12 years in prison for the robbery of three banks, including one in Columbiana, Ohio.
Robert J. Gibson, 45, of Tecumseh Street, pleaded guilty July 18 in federal court to three counts of bank robbery.
A. Elliott McLean, assistant United States attorney who prosecuted the case, said Gibson admitted robbing the National City Bank in Columbiana on May 31, 2002, the Freedom United Federal Credit Union in Rochester, Pa., on June 14, 2002, and the Allegheny Valley Bank in Pittsburgh on June 27, 2002.
He managed to elude capture after the first two robberies but was apprehended by a bank security guard during his escape from the Allegheny Valley Bank.
Gibson could have faced 20 years in prison. Donetta W. Ambrose, chief United States district judge, sentenced him Friday to serve 151 months in prison. Before imposing the sentence, Judge Ambrose said Gibson was a career offender under federal sentencing guidelines. His criminal history includes at least 26 prior convictions involving more than 33 crimes of violence, the judge said.