Pierre Lee, also known as “Pierre Wilmoth,” was convicted by a federal jury in Brooklyn of use of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charge relates to Lee’s attempted robbery of a Capital One Bank branch in Brooklyn on April 26, 2026 (the Capital One Attempted Robbery). The verdict followed a three-day trial before United States Chief District Judge Margo K. Brodie. Prior to trial, on September 1, 2026, Lee pleaded guilty to four counts of the indictment: bank robbery, two counts of attempted bank robbery—including the Capital One Attempted Robbery—and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition (Lee had a prior robbery conviction). The bank robbery and attempted robberies were committed over a four-day spree in Manhattan and Brooklyn. When sentenced, Lee faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.
Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.
“This verdict holds the defendant accountable for bringing a firearm to a bank robbery and attempting to use the threat of violence to steal monies that did not belong to him,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Our Office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who use firearms to threaten and endanger our communities.”
Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for their assistance in the case.
“This verdict serves as a stark reminder that the FBI and NYPD Violent Crime Task Force will employ every available resource to aggressively investigate anyone who attempts to rob a bank in New York City. Thanks to the outstanding work of our partners at the NYPD and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Lee has now been held fully accountable for his actions,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.
As proven at trial, Lee knowingly used a firearm during an attempted bank robbery, which is a crime of violence. On April 26, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Lee, carrying a red Target bag, entered a Capital One Bank branch located at 2150 86th Street in Brooklyn, New York, and handed the teller a note that stated he was armed, “dead serious,” and demanded “loose bills” in denominations of $100, $50, $20, and $10. The teller was unable to access the cash at his station and informed Lee. In response, Lee demanded return of the note, exited the bank, and stashed the Target bag inside a grey shopping bag.
NYPD officers canvassed the area and located Lee one block from the bank at the Bay Parkway subway station approximately 25 minutes later. After his arrest, Lee was taken to the 62nd Precinct, where a loaded Hi-Point A .380 caliber firearm was recovered inside his Target bag, as well as the handwritten note that he had passed to the Capital One Bank teller.
No comments:
Post a Comment