SAN JOSE – Daniel Asa Hitesman was sentenced yesterday to 16 years in prison for attempted bank robbery, announced United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett.
On July 26, 2016, after a three-day trial before the Honorable Lucy H. Koh, U.S. District Judge, Hitesman was convicted by a jury of a single count of attempted bank robbery. During the trial, evidence showed that on July 23, 2013, Hitesman left a halfway house in San Francisco and made his way to Cupertino where he went to the branch of a bank located on Stevens Creek Boulevard. Hitesman entered the bank carrying a large bag and wearing a hat and sunglasses to cover his face. He stood in line and, when his turn came, approached the bank teller and said he had “a bag full of guns.” Hitesman demanded money and told the teller that if he did not receive it he would “start shooting.” The teller refused Hitesman’s demands and pressed the alarm. Hitesman thereafter fled.
Although Hitesman concealed his face during the attempted robbery, the FBI obtained and distributed bank surveillance photos. Personnel from the halfway house at which Hitesman was staying recognized the defendant in the photos and contacted the FBI. This identification and additional evidence linked Hitesman to the offense.
The sentence was handed down by Judge Koh. In addition to the prison term, Judge Koh sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release. Hitesman is currently in custody and will begin serving the sentence immediately.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Simeon and Jeffrey Backhus are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Ryka Barghi, Lakisha Holliman, and Yolanda Singletary. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.