Salinas man sentenced to seven years in prison for bank robbery

UPDATE: 8/9/2018 2:23 p.m. A Salinas man was sentenced to seven years in prison for robbing and conspiring to rob a bank in the city.

27-year-old Nathan James Garcia, aka “Bones,” pleaded guilty to the charges on January 24, 2018.

According to the plea agreement, Garcia admitted to conspiring to rob a bank in May of 2012.

“In the days leading up to the robbery, Garcia and his coconspirators prepared by casing the bank and rehearsing the robbery,” said the U.S. District Attorney’s Office.

On May 19, Garcia and others entered a Salinas bank wearing masks and at least one of the co-conspirators carried a gun. Garcia said he knew at least one of his accomplices would be carrying a gun to threaten, and intimidate the bank employees.

The robbers got away with $13,000.

Garcia was indicted on May 11, 2017. He pleaded guilty to armed bank robbery and conspiracy to commit a robbery affecting interstate commerce.

In addition to the prison term, Garcia was ordered to pay $13,256 in restitution and to serve five years of supervised release to begin after he gets out.

Garcia has been in prison since his arrest in May of 2017 and will begin serving his sentence immediately.

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A Salinas man faces a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison for committing an armed bank robbery.

26-year-old Nathan James Garcia, aka “Bones,” pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and armed bank robbery in connection with the 2012 robbery of a Salinas bank.

During the robbery on May 19, Garcia brandished a gun and stole more than $13,000 in cash.

“In the days leading up to the bank robbery and in preparation for robbing it, Garcia rehearsed the robbery and cased the bank,” said Salinas PD.

Garcia has been in federal custody since his arrest in May of 2017. A sentence hearing is scheduled for May 2, 2018.