By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–A 27-year-old bank robber was sentenced in federal court on May 27 to 48 months in prison for robbing two San Diego banks in 2021 and violating the conditions of supervised release arising out of a prior conviction for felon in possession of a firearm.
Eric Tyler Oxenham, of Campo, received a sentence of 41 months for the bank robberies and 18 months on the supervised release revocation, with 7 months to run consecutive to the bank robbery sentence, for a total of 48 months.
Oxenham pleaded guilty on February 2, admitting that he robbed the banks by presenting demand notes that threatened the tellers. He was apprehended by police officers after he fled the second robbery.
In his plea agreement, Oxenham admitted that, on September 24, 2021, he entered the California Bank and Trust, located at 1024 Graves Avenue in El Cajon, approached a teller, and passed a demand note to the teller, which read, “Put 50’s and 100’s in the bag.” The teller provided Oxenham with approximately $432.00. Oxenham left the bank on foot and ultimately fled the scene in a white rental car.
He also admitted that, on September 30, 2021, he entered a U.S. Bank, located at 610 W. Washington Street in San Diego, approached a teller, and presented the teller with a demand note. The note read, in sum and substance, “This is a robbery. Put the money in the envelope.” In response to Defendant’s demands, the victim bank teller provided Defendant with approximately $1,608.00 before Defendant then left the bank on foot.
Investigators used nearby residential surveillance footage to identify the getaway vehicle, and ultimately Oxenham, who was arrested pursuant to a warrant on October 27, 2021.
“Bank robberies are serious crimes that undermine the banking system and strike fear in bank staff and customers,” said U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “Thanks to our law enforcement partners, justice was served in this case and our community is safer.” Grossman commended the prosecutors, FBI agents, and San Diego Police Department officers who handled this matter.
“The San Diego FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force is committed to combatting violence on our streets and keeping our communities safe,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy. “This sentence should serve as notice to anyone who believes they are free to commit crime without consequences – the FBI and our partners at the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department will utilize all available investigative resources to bring criminals to justice.”
