The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that on April 27, 2022, Michael Muse, 44, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion to the charge of armed bank robbery.

According to United States Attorney John C. Gurganus, Muse committed armed robbery of the ESSA Bank, located in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, on Sept. 16, 2021. During the robbery Muse pointed what appeared to be a firearm (later discovered to be an air pistol) at the bank tellers. Muse stole approximately $9,031.

Judge Mannion ordered that a presentence investigation take place. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

The charge against the defendant resulted from an investigation conducted by the Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. O’Hara is prosecuting the case.

He faces a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.