Heist Suspect Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Kill the President

A man arrested in Manhattan Beach for robbing a bank in May 2010 pleaded guilty today in a Texas courtroom to threatening to kill the President of the United States.

Richard Frank Ackerman, 45, of Cary, North Carolina, faces up to five years in federal prison for a threat that was made prior to his arrest for robbing the Chase bank in downtown Manhattan Beach on Mon., May 17, 2010. 

According to the MB police department, Ackerman did not use a weapon when he demanded money at about 11 a.m. He was stopped by police a short time later near the intersection of Highland Avenue and 15th Street while walking. He fit the description of the bank robber and had what appeared to be the stolen cash with him, according to Stephanie Martin of MBPD.

Before his alleged bank heist in Manhattan Beach, Ackerman had threatened to go to Washington DC to kill the President. The threat was made during an argument about the Obama administration's healthcare policies in Kermit, Texas, on May 7, 2010, said a statement from federal prosecutors.

Individuals who heard the threat reported it to the Kermit police department when Ackerman appeared to have left town and the individuals became concerned.

Kermit police officials alerted the U.S. Secret Service to the threat and discovered that the man they wanted had been detained by the Manhattan Beach Police Department.

“Threats against the President of the United States are not taken lightly,” stated United States Attorney John E. Murphy in a press released. “I want to commend those who heard the defendant’s comment and took swift action to bring it to the attention of law enforcement.”

Ackerman is in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been scheduled yet.