DAYTON, Ohio – A Columbus man pleaded not guilty to federal charges alleging he robbed seven banks in southwestern and central Ohio within five weeks.
Michael Hay, 30, entered the plea Wednesday during an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Dayton, federal authorities said.
Prosecutors say Hay was indicted on seven counts of bank robbery in robberies that occurred between December 28 and February 4.
If Hay is convicted, each bank robbery count is punishable by up to 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and restitution.
Court records do not show an attorney for him.
Federal authorities allege that Hay robbed banks in Bexley and Grove City, as well as Cincinnati and Dayton and suburbs of the two larger cities before being arrested Feb. 7 by police in Grove City, where he had allegedly held up a Key Bank on Feb. 1, prosecutors said.
The indictment also charges Hay with robberies at a PNC Bank in Cincinnati on Dec. 28, a Chase Bank in Bexley on Jan. 7, a First Financial Bank in Huber Heights on Jan. 10, a Chase Bank in Vandalia on Jan. 28, a Huntington Bank in Miami Township on Jan. 29 and a Chase Bank in Mason on Feb. 4.