A New Jersey man faced his initial court appearance on charges of armed bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Friday.
Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 50, of Wall Township, New Jersey, is accused of carrying out an armed robbery at a bank in his hometown. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh in Trenton federal court and was detained. A detention hearing is scheduled for November 25, 2024.
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According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, on October 23, 2024, Kniffin entered the bank and demanded cash from a teller. He then revealed a firearm, threatening the teller and other employees by repeatedly warning them, “Don’t do anything stupid.” After seizing more than $17,000 in cash through force and intimidation, Kniffin fled the scene.
Law enforcement apprehended Kniffin just minutes later. During the arrest, authorities recovered a loaded firearm and the stolen cash from Kniffin and the surrounding area.
Kniffin is charged with one count of armed bank robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted.
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U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited the investigation to the FBI Newark’s Jersey Shore Safe Streets Task Force, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado. Additional assistance came from the Wall Township Police Department, under Chief Sean O’Halloran, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, led by Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Garelick from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Trenton.
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