SCRANTON - The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Michael Muse, 44, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced on Oct. 26, by U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion, to five years for armed bank robbery.

According to U.S. Attorney’s Office, Muse, previously entered a guilty plea before Judge Mannion, admitting to an armed robbery of the ESSA Bank in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, on Sept. 16, 2021.

During the robbery, Muse pointed what appeared to be a firearm (later discovered to be an air pistol) at the bank tellers. Muse stole about $9,031 from the bank.

The charge resulted from an investigation conducted by Pennsylvania State Police and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. .