United States v. Zabielski, No. 11-3288 (3d Cir. 2013)
Annotate this CaseZabielski robbed PNC Bank. Footage from security tapes demonstrates that Zabielski was not disoriented.‖ He approached the teller with a note that read: “$10,000,” stating only that he needed the money within two minutes. The teller noticed a bulge in Zabielski‘s jacket pocket, and thought that he might have a gun or a knife. She gave him $4,767. Zabielski told people about the robbery. His mother convinced him to return the money. He mailed $3,790 to the bank. Images from security cameras were provided to local media, and Zabielski was identified. He initially lied, but a year later pled guilty to bank robbery, 18 U.S.C. 2113(a). With a two-level enhancement for making a threat of death (USSG 2B3.1(b)(2)(F)), an offense level of 21, and a criminal history category of I, Zabielski‘s advisory Guidelines range was 37 to 46 months. Zabielski objected to the enhancement and requested a downward variance, claiming that he suffered from bipolar disorder and had resumed treatment since the robbery. The district court rejected his arguments, but imposed a sentence of 24 months. The Third Circuit affirmed, holding that application of the enhancement was harmless error and that Zabielski‘s sentence was not substantively unreasonable.
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