Bruce Armstead convicted of a series of bank robberies

A 69-year-old man who robbed a series of banks in the Cincinnati area has a history of “significant substance abuse” and mental health problems, a federal judge said during his sentencing Monday.

Bruce Armstead also has “a host of medical conditions,” U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott said. Those undisclosed medical issues led to him nearly dying while being held in the Butler County Jail pending resolution of his case. Armstead underwent surgery that likely saved his life after his public defender alerted the jail to his medical problems.

Armstead’s addiction to crack cocaine was so severe that even after undergoing surgery, he relapsed and started using again, his federal public defender, Karen Savir, told Dlott.

The judge sentenced Armstead to 24 months in prison, a sentence that was agreed to as part of the plea agreement. Under federal sentencing guidelines, he could face a maximum of 8½ years in prison.

Armstead will likely be housed at a federal prison in Lexington, Kentucky, which is equipped to treat inmates with medical problems. Dlott also recommended that he undergo treatment for substance abuse.

In court Monday, Armstead said he now realizes he is dealing with his drug addiction. He said he wants to be a productive member of society and “enjoy life.”

He also apologized for his crimes.

5 banks robbed within 3 months

Authorities say Armstead robbed five banks in Lockland, Deer Park, Mount Healthy and Wyoming between November 2021 and January 2022. Court documents show he stole nearly $80,000.

According to court documents, Armstead robbed a U.S. Bank in Lockland twice – on November 2, 2021, and again on November 13, 2021. He then robbed three more banks:

A Huntington Bank in Deer Park on December 8, 2021.
A fifth third bank in Wyoming on December 14, 2021.
An American bank in Mount Healthy on January 7, 2022.

Armstead was arrested in March 2022 following an investigation involving both the FBI and police agencies in the municipalities where the robberies occurred.

He pleaded guilty in April to a bank robbery charge.

During the January 7, 2022, robbery in Mount Healthy, Armstead, he – wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, gloves and a surgical mask – walked up to a cashier and asked for change. According to court documents, after asking Armstead what he needed, the teller pointed a gun at the cashier and demanded money.

The teller gave him money from a drawer, but Armstead said he knew there was more, and the teller gave him extra money. Even then, according to the documents, Armstead said he knew there was more money “and again the teller gave him more.”

Armstead put the money in a bag and fled.

5 banks robbed within 3 months

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