Milwaukee Man Indicted for Bank Robbery

United States Attorney Matthew D. Krueger of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced on December 10, 2019, that a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Otis T. Anderson (age: 30) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The indictment alleges Anderson robbed the Old National Bank at 790 N. Jefferson Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while brandishing a firearm, all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2113 and 924(c). Anderson is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1). If convicted of the charges alleged, Anderson faces a mandatory minimum of seven years imprisonment and up to a lifetime term of imprisonment.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in our neighborhoods. Project Safe Neighborhoods’ strategy brings together all levels of law enforcement and community resources to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life in all our neighborhoods.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Taskforce and the Milwaukee Police Department. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa Wesley.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.