Greenwood Bank Robber Sentenced

Aberdeen, MS – Earl Blue, 48, from Greenwood, was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison by Senior United States District Court Judge Sharion Aycock today. In addition to prison time, he was ordered five years of supervision and was ordered to pay restitution to the victim bank in the amount of $5,300. Blue had previously pled guilty to robbing a branch of Regions Bank in Greenwood, Mississippi. According to court documents, on May 15, 2025, Blue walked into Regions Bank and stated that he wished to open an account. After waiting for a period, Blue approached the teller and pointed a handgun at her and demanded that she provide him with money. The teller complied with Blue’s demands and Blue fled the bank taking U.S. currency with him. The Greenwood Police Department responded to the robbery and along with the FBI, quickly developed Blue as the suspect. Blue was apprehended the following day by the United States Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force in St. Louis, Missouri. A significant amount of stolen currency was recovered from his possession at the time of his arrest. U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary stated, “Success is not measured by one’s wealth, but by one’s worth. Honorable people are honest, dedicated hard workers, dishonorable people take what does not belong to them. We’ve been dealing with bank robbers for awhile now, and it takes honorable people to bring them to justice, which is what happened in this case. I commend the Greenwood Police Department and the FBI for their investigation of this case. By working together, law enforcement can accomplish so much more in protecting the public from dangerous criminals. I also credit AUSA Herzog for his professionalism in prosecuting this case.” Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Jackson Field Office Robert Eikhoff said, "Armed robbery is a bold, brazen act that Blue believed he could commit with impunity, but today’s sentencing sends a clear message: Bank robbery is not an easy payday—it’s a serious federal crime and perpetrators will be held accountable. The FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, remains steadfast in our commitment to identify, apprehend, and bring to justice offenders like Blue. Our resolve to protect public safety is unwavering." Greenwood Police Department Chief of Police, Serafin Simon, Jr., said, "Today's sentence of Earl Blue in the armed bank robbery that occurred in Greenwood represents the successful conclusion of a thorough investigation and the unwavering commitment of our officers, investigators, and our law enforcement partners to bring violent offenders to justice. Armed robberies threaten not only financial institutions but also the safety and security of our entire community. Blue’s sentence sends a clear message that those who commit violent crimes in Greenwood will be identified, apprehended, and held fully accountable under the law. We are grateful to our partnership with the federal prosecutors and investigators for their dedication throughout this process. Most importantly, we remain committed to protecting the citizens of Greenwood and ensuring that justice is served." Assistant U.S. Attorney John Herzog Jr. prosecuted the case.