AMDEN – An Atlantic City man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information charging him with the bank robbery of a Sun National Bank branch in Atlantic City, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

James Curtis, 43, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Noel L. Hillman to one count of bank robbery. Judge Hillman scheduled sentencing for Jan. 11, 2007.

At his plea hearing, Curtis admitted that on April 24, 2006, he entered a Sun National Bank branch, located on Atlantic Avenue, with the intention of robbing the bank. Curtis admitted that he handed a note to a female teller which stated “Robbery, I have a gun. Put the money in the bag.” He then handed her a white bag. Curtis admitted that, in response, the teller placed approximately $4,169 into the bag and returned it to him, and he fled the bank.

A bank security guard chased Curtis as he fled on foot. According the Criminal Complaint, Curtis waved a knife at the security guard while being chased. Curtis admitted that he did not possess a gun, as he had said in the note.

The one count of bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Christie credited Special Agents with the FBI’s Atlantic City Resident Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leslie G. Wiser in Newark, and Police Officers with the Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Chief John J. Mooney, for investigation of the case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin T. Smith, of the Criminal Division in Camden.

Defense Attorney: Maggie F. Moy, Esq. Assistant Federal Public Defender