Sarasota Man Admits To Bank Robberies In 4 States

A Sarasota man faces 25 years in a federal prison for four bank robberies Michael Joseph Forsythe 49, Sarasota pled guilty Wednesday to four counts of bank robbery with a dangerous weapon, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

He faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison for each of the robberies. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

On Sept. 7, 2011, at approximately 2:05 p.m., Forsythe entered a branch of TD Bank located at 1852 Ridgewood Avenue in Holly Hill, which is just north of Daytona Beach, and demanded money from a teller, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Forsythe displayed what appeared to be a handgun to a teller and demanded money by saying, “Give me all the money in the top and bottom drawer and I will not harm you,” according to court record.

Forsythe also warned the teller that there "better not be a tracking device,” according to court records. The teller provided Forsythe with $8,331 and a hidden GPS tracker, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Minutes after the robbery, using the GPS tracker, Volusia County area law enforcement located Forsythe in a stolen car.

Officers from the Holly Hill Police Department found the money from TD Bank, a black and silver toy pistol, and a white hooded sweatshirt that matched the description of one worn by the robber, according to the Attorney's Office.

Forsythe provided a full confession for the bank robbery to detectives from the Holly Hill Police Department and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

He also admitted to three other identical bank robberies in Georgia, Kentucky and West Virginia, according to the Attorney's Office.

Forsythe added that once he had left behind a demand note during his first bank robbery, he knew that he would eventually be caught because his fingerprints were on that note.

Forstyhe also faces charges for grand theft auto in relation to the robberies, according to the Volusia County Corrections website.

This case was investigated by the Holly Hill Police Department and the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.