GILBERT -- A Gilbert man has pleaded guilty to robbing a bank with a fake bomb in October.
Donald Ray Ludington, 48, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of armed bank robbery.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Ludington walked into a Gilbert bank with a backpack and set it down at his feet. He presented a teller with a note that said he had a bomb and demanded $20s, $50s and $100s. The teller gave him money and Ludington fled the bank.
Police received an anonymous tip naming Ludington as the bank robber. They conducted surveillance on Ludington, who was found casing banks in the East Valley.
Agents and officers took a photograph of Ludington and bank employees identified him as the robber.
Ludington was arrested and admitted using a hoax bomb to rob the Gilbert bank.
He faces up to 25 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. Sentencing is set for June 7.
