A Charlotte man will now spend seven years in federal prison after his failed attempt to recruit a minor to help him rob a bank.
Yesterday, the Federal court sentenced 32-year-old Michael Malik Pringle Jr. to 84 months in prison and three years of supervised release after he pled guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting.
According to the Department of Justice, “On May 2nd, 2024, Pringle picked up a 16-year-old minor in a rented vehicle. Pringle and the minor had previously discussed robbing a bank and had agreed to rob a bank on that date. After unsuccessfully trying to rob one bank, Pringle and the minor travelled to a Wells Fargo bank located at 9420 Pineville-Matthews Road and parked in a parking lot near the bank. Pringle gave the minor a firearm and a black bag and told the minor to demand $20,000 from the bank employees. Court records show the minor entered the bank wearing a hoodie and a face mask while Pringle waited in the car. Once inside the bank, the minor told a bank employee that he needed to make a withdrawal. Then the minor pulled out the gun and the bag and told the employee to “put $20,000 in this bag right now.” One of the tellers filled the bag with approximately $18,333. The minor fled the bank and ran to the getaway vehicle where Pringle was waiting, and the pair drove off.”
Police soon stopped the vehicle and arrested both suspects, according to court records. Officers found a loaded Glock 43 with an extended magazine in the driver’s door pocket. Investigators also found robbery cash scattered in the back seat area.
The case involved the FBI, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and Pineville Police Department.
