GEORGIA MAN INDICTED FOR BANK ROBBERY

BIRMINGHAM, AL - MICHAEL SHERROD HALL, 20, of Decatur, Georgia, has been indicted for the June 22, 2007, robbery of an Amsouth Bank in Shelby County. The indictment is announced today by U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin and FBI Special Agent in Charge Carmen S. Adams.

"Hours after robbing a bank with a toy gun, Hall was apprehended along with the stolen money," stated U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin. "Mr. Hall entered the express lane to federal prison by robbing a bank."

The indictment states that, on June 22, 2007, in Shelby County, Hall took by force and intimidation approximately $18,256 from AmSouth Bank and fled. He was apprehended later that day in Douglasville, Georgia. An initial appearance was held in U.S. District Court on June 26, 2007. At that hearing, evidence revealed that a toy gun was used by Hall in the robbery. He has been placed on strict bond conditions by the Magistrate Judge pending the outcome of the charges faced. If convicted on the bank robbery charge, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in federal prison, and fines of up to $250,000.

"Law enforcement utilizes many investigative tools to apprehend those who commit crimes with real and toy guns," stated Carmen S. Adams, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Birmingham Field Division. "Police Officers and federal agents are commended for their efforts in apprehending Hall."

Special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with local law enforcement and the U.S. Marshal Service are investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Scarlett Singleton and John H. England, III are prosecuting the matter on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.