CRIME
Stephanie Schwab sentenced to 11 years
A Northern Virginia woman who became known as the "blond bandit" following a string of bank robberies and carjackings last year was sentenced to 11 years behind bars.
Stephanie Schwab of Manassas pleaded guilty earlier this year to stealing $3,200 in a pair of November bank robberies, plus another attempted robbery.
She also admitted stealing a car from relatives and carjacking two others.
On Thursday, a judge sentenced to 132 months or the crimes. She is also required to pay $24,000 in restitution.
“Stephanie’s Schwab’s reckless crime spree was a risk to the public in many different communities,” said U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride in a statement. “Her complete disregard for the law and public safety justifies the lengthy sentence.”
Schwab had been a member of the MS-13 street gang and for a period of time was in the Witness Protection Program after testifying at high-profile murder trial.
Court papers indicate Schwab blamed her crime spree on a heroin addiction.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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