David Sartin Jr., a 40-year-old convicted bank robber from St. Petersburg, Florida, is facing two new federal bank robbery charges after allegedly stealing more than $5,400 from two banks while wearing a realistic prosthetic old man mask. Federal prosecutors announced the charges on October 16, 2026, following robberies in Largo on August 24 and St. Petersburg on September 15. Authorities say Sartin was on supervised release for previous bank robberies when the incidents occurred. If convicted on both new counts, he faces up to 40 years in federal prison.
Who Is David Sartin Jr.?
David Sartin Jr. is a Florida resident with a documented history of federal bank robbery convictions dating back to 2008. His previous offenses involved disguises, including masks intended to conceal his identity.
In 2018, Sartin received a federal prison sentence of 10 years and one month for a series of five bank robberies committed in Texas in 2016. According to federal authorities, he used a disguise resembling an elderly man during those crimes.
After serving his sentence, Sartin began supervised release in May 2025. Prosecutors allege that he returned to similar methods in 2026, targeting two banks in Florida's Pinellas County.
What Federal Charges Does David Sartin Jr. Face?
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida charged Sartin by criminal complaint with two counts of bank robbery.
The charges concern two separate incidents:
- August 24, 2026: An alleged robbery at Valley Bank in Largo, Florida, involving approximately $2,900.
- September 15, 2026: An alleged robbery at Truist Bank in St. Petersburg, Florida, involving approximately $2,554.
The combined amount allegedly stolen was approximately $5,454.
Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Those penalties are statutory maximums, not a sentence that has already been imposed.
The criminal complaint was filed on October 14, 2026, and the Justice Department publicly announced the charges two days later. The allegations in the new case have not been established by a conviction.
First Florida Bank Robbery: $2,900 Stolen in Largo
According to the FBI's criminal complaint, the first robbery occurred at Valley Bank in Largo on August 24, 2026.
Investigators allege that Sartin entered the bank wearing a prosthetic mask that made him appear elderly, along with a straw hat, sports jacket, gloves, and other clothing designed to disguise his appearance.
He approached the teller counter and demanded cash, specifically instructing the employee not to include dye packs, which banks use to mark stolen money.
While gathering the cash, the teller reportedly activated a silent alarm. The suspect repeatedly urged bank employees to hurry before leaving with approximately $2,900.
The Unusual Words Before His Escape
One particularly unusual detail emerged from the bank manager's account of the incident.
According to the complaint, the robber said, "Until we meet again," after collecting the money.
The statement attracted attention in news coverage because investigators later connected the alleged robbery to another incident involving a similar disguise.
How Investigators Traced the Getaway
Federal investigators say the suspect initially drove to a gas station near the bank, traveled through the surrounding area, and parked his vehicle before switching to a bicycle.
After leaving the bank, he allegedly escaped on the bicycle, returned to the staged vehicle, and drove away.
Authorities reviewed surveillance recordings and vehicle movements from nearby roads to reconstruct the route.
The investigation eventually focused on a Toyota FJ Cruiser that authorities linked to Sartin and his previous criminal history.
Second Bank Robbery: September 15 in St. Petersburg
Three weeks later, on September 15, 2026, another bank robbery took place at a Truist Bank in St. Petersburg.
Federal investigators allege that Sartin again used a realistic elderly-man disguise, this time wearing a flat cap, glasses, dark clothing, and a mask with gray facial hair.
The suspect presented a teller with a demand for cash without dye packs and reportedly escaped with approximately $2,554.
According to the FBI affidavit, a witness noticed that the individual did not move like an elderly person, raising suspicion that the appearance was a disguise.
Surveillance footage captured a vehicle leaving Sartin's residence before the robbery and returning afterward. A man resembling Sartin was reportedly seen unloading a bicycle from the vehicle.
The following day, investigators observed Sartin spray-painting the vehicle's previously white roof black, changing its appearance.
FBI Finds Old Man Masks, Clothing, and a Fake Gun
Searches of locations associated with Sartin uncovered evidence that investigators believe connects him to the two bank robberies.
At his residence, authorities recovered a bicycle, a blue suit, a black bag, and clothing similar to items visible in surveillance footage.
Additional evidence recovered from a storage unit included a realistic old man mask with gray facial hair, dark-framed glasses, gloves marked with black paint, and a fake handgun.
Investigators also located a white dress shirt with black studs, a pinstriped sports coat, a dark blue flat cap, and other clothing that allegedly matched the second robbery disguise.
The items were described in the federal complaint as evidence supporting the identification of Sartin as the suspected robber.
The Bank Robbery Journal Discovered by Investigators
Another unusual discovery came during a search of a residence where Sartin occasionally stayed.
Investigators recovered a journal titled "God's Best friend is a Bank Robber! Uncle Henry Cops and Robbers the world through the eyes of a Bank Robber."
The journal was dated January 1, 2021, and identified David Sartin as its author.
According to the Justice Department, one page contained a drawing of a figure holding a mask and the handwritten words, "My face holding up uncle Henry, looking at it, Face to Face."
The discovery drew attention because of the similarities between the journal's subject matter and the disguises allegedly used in the robberies.
However, the journal alone does not establish responsibility for the two incidents. Its significance must be evaluated alongside the other evidence presented in court.
David Sartin Jr.'s Previous Bank Robbery Convictions
The latest federal charges follow a criminal history involving similar offenses.
2008 Attempted Bank Robbery
In 2008, Sartin was convicted in federal court of attempted bank robbery following an unsuccessful robbery attempt involving Halloween masks and disguises.
2016 Texas Bank Robberies
Authorities later connected Sartin to five bank robberies committed in Texas in 2016.
During those incidents, he reportedly used a mask resembling an elderly man and a vehicle that investigators say was also associated with the new Florida case.
He was sentenced in 2018 to 10 years and one month in federal prison.
The government says Sartin was still serving a term of supervised release related to that conviction when the two Florida robberies allegedly occurred.
Could David Sartin Jr. Face 40 Years in Prison?
Yes. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, each of the two new federal bank robbery counts carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.
If convicted on both counts, Sartin could face a combined statutory maximum of 40 years. The actual sentence, if any, would depend on the applicable federal sentencing rules, judicial findings, and other legally relevant factors.
His prior convictions and supervised release status may also be relevant to subsequent court proceedings.
As of October 21, 2026, publicly available reports reviewed for this article establish the filing of the new charges but do not establish a conviction or final sentence in the Florida case.
Who Is Investigating the Case?
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Largo Police Department, and the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Callaos is responsible for prosecuting the case.
Federal authorities identified the prosecution as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide initiative involving cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are David Sartin Jr.'s federal charges?
David Sartin Jr. faces two federal counts of bank robbery arising from incidents in Largo and St. Petersburg, Florida, in August and September 2026.
How old is David Sartin Jr.?
He is 40 years old as of October 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Why did David Sartin Jr. allegedly wear an old man mask?
Federal investigators allege that he used a realistic prosthetic mask to conceal his identity during the robberies. Authorities say similar disguises were used in his earlier bank robbery offenses.
How much money was allegedly stolen?
Investigators reported approximately $2,900 stolen from the first bank and $2,554 from the second, for a combined total of approximately $5,454.
Was David Sartin Jr. previously convicted of bank robbery?
Yes. He has previous federal convictions, including a 2008 attempted bank robbery case and a 2018 conviction related to five Texas bank robberies committed in 2016.
What did David Sartin Jr. allegedly say after the first robbery?
According to the bank manager's account included in the criminal complaint, the robber said, "Until we meet again," after receiving the money.
Has David Sartin Jr. been sentenced for the 2026 robberies?
No final sentence in the new case was established by the publicly available information reviewed as of October 21, 2026. He is facing charges, and the presumption of innocence applies to those allegations.
Conclusion
David Sartin Jr.'s federal bank robbery case has attracted national attention because of the unusual prosthetic old man disguise, his history of similar convictions, and evidence reportedly recovered during the FBI investigation.
Prosecutors allege that he robbed two Florida banks while on supervised release, escaping with approximately $5,454. The investigation identified surveillance footage, clothing, masks, a bicycle, and a vehicle allegedly connecting him to the incidents.
Although Sartin has previous convictions, the 2026 allegations remain subject to federal court proceedings. If convicted on both new charges, he could face up to 40 years in prison.
- Log in to post comments