Sacramento Man Dubbed "The Straw Hat Bandit" Charged with Bank Robbery

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that MICHAEL EDWARD OSGOOD, 47, of Sacramento made an initial appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan on charges that he committed seven bank robberies in Sacramento County and an eighth bank robbery in San Joaquin County.

The case is being investigated by the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Roseville Police Department, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. During the early stages of the investigation, the task force dubbed the perpetrator “the Straw Hat Bandit” because surveillance photos depicted the robber to be using a wide brim straw hat during execution of several of his robberies.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Rodriguez, who is prosecuting the case, OSGOOD was taken into federal custody this morning on the federal charges. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office yesterday dismissed state charges against OSGOOD in favor of the federal prosecution. OSGOOD was arrested on June 9, 2008, after fleeing from a robbery of the U.S. Bank located at 3320 Arden Way, Sacramento, California. OSGOOD is charged with the following robberies:

1. Tri-Counties Bank, 4650 Natomas Boulevard, Sacramento, California on April 30, 2008.
2. The Sterlent Credit Union, 2648 Watt Avenue, Sacramento, California on May 12, 2008.
3. The Wells Fargo Bank, 8870 Madison Avenue, Fair Oaks, California on May 16, 2008.
4. The Citibank, 436 Howe Avenue, Sacramento, California on May 21, 2008.
5. The U.S. Bank, 5021 Laguna Boulevard, Elk Grove, California on May 24, 2008.
6. The U.S. Bank, 2808 County Club, Stockton, California on June 4, 2008.
7. The Sterlent Credit Union, 2648 Watt Avenue, Sacramento, California on June 9, 2008.
8. The U.S. Bank, located at 3320 Arden Way, Sacramento, California on June 9, 2008.

For each bank robbery offense, upon conviction, OSGOOD faces up to 20 years in federal prison, a three-year term of federal supervised release, a fine of $250,000, and an order of restitution. The charges are only accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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