Mario Patterson, 45, of Memphis, was sentenced on May 6 to 579 months in federal prison for his involvement in a string of three bank robberies, an attempted bank robbery, use of firearms during these crimes, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Patterson is one of eight Memphis men who have been convicted or pleaded guilty in connection with these offenses. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence.
The case highlights concerns about violent crime and public safety. According to evidence presented at trial, Patterson joined a conspiracy between April and December 2023 to rob banks around Memphis. Other co-defendants—Courtney Trenell, Devin Hinds, and Joshua Cribbs—were found guilty by a separate jury; four others had already pleaded guilty.
During the robberies detailed at trial: On April 27, 2023, Patterson brandished an AK-style pistol while robbing First Horizon Bank; on August 11 and October 20 that year other group members robbed additional banks with some acting as lookouts or getaway drivers. On October 25 an attempted robbery led to gunfire with security staff resulting in injuries. The group stole over $170,000 from five incidents before arrests were made following further criminal activity by Patterson on November 5 and December 22.
Sentences for co-defendants ranged from just under four years up to seventeen years depending on their roles. Dunavant said: “In less than eight months this violent robbery crew committed five armed bank robberies, terrorized the community, and inflicted fear and harm on multiple victims. Patterson’s violent crime spree is over for good. This forty-eight-year sentence for a forty-five-year-old offender is well deserved and sends a clear message that there will always be a reckoning—a real and significant consequence—for the commission of violent crimes.”
Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly added: “This sentence should serve as a reminder that repeated criminal conduct carries escalating consequences and will be met by swift justice… The FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and our partners at the Memphis Police Department will continue to work together to target serial offenders creating fear and havoc in our community.”
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee advances community safety through federal law enforcement efforts across its district from offices in Memphis and Jackson; it handles prosecutions like this one as part of its broader mandate under the Department of Justice according to the official website.