The United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that David Weaver, 41, and Crystal Serfass, 31, both of Junedale, pleaded guilty to the armed robberies of four banks and a store.

Weaver and Serfass pleaded guilty before Senior United States District Court Judge James M. Munley in federal court Wednesday in Scranton. During the guilty plea hearing, each admitted to all charges in the following armed robberies:

• The robbery of the Jim Thorpe National Bank, Penn Forest Township, on Sept. 17, 2013;

• The robbery of the National Penn Bank, Drums, on Aug. 8, 2014;

• The robbery of Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank, Penn Forest Township, on Nov. 18, 2014;

• The robbery of the ESSA Bank and Trust, Brodheadsville, on Dec. 26, 2014;

• The robbery of the Dollar General, Nesquehoning, on Nov. 16, 2014.

During each of the robberies, Weaver brandished a firearm to intimidate the employees, while Serfass helped plan and acted as a driver for each of the crimes.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Police. Prosecution is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney John Gurganus.

In this particular case, the maximum penalty under the federal statutes is up to 120 years' imprisonment.

Both face a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine if convicted.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendants, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs.

For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.