By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
A Sacramento man who investigators dubbed "the Goat-Man Bandit" has pleaded guilty to serial bank robbery.
John Raymond Porter, 43, entered the plea today before U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.
During the early stages of the investigation, the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force dubbed the perpetrator the Goat-Man Bandit because victim tellers in some robberies indicated the robber had facial hair in the form of a goatee. (See photos below taken from surveillance cameras at several banks.)
According to court documents, Porter pleaded guilty to four bank robbery charges:
- Bank of America, 900 High St., Auburn, Dec. 23, 2008.
- Bank of America, 2221 Douglas Blvd., Roseville, Jan. 6, 2009.
- Bank of American, 3901 Park Drive, El Dorado Hills, Feb. 17, 2009.
- Wells Fargo Bank, 3291 Coach Lane, Cameron Park, Mach 2, 2009
Porter also admitted guilt in five additional bank robberies:
- Wells Fargo Bank, 781 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, Oct. 3, 2008.
- US Bank, 30 High St., Auburn, Oct. 23, 2008.
- Washington Mutual Bank, 5801 Sunrise Blvd., Citrus Heights, Oct. 23, 2008.
- Wachovia Bank, 8477 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights, Dec. 11, 2008.
- US Bank, 2360 Grass Valley Highway, Auburn, Dec. 13, 2008.
As part of his plea agreement, Porter is to pay restitution for all nine bank robberies. He is in federal custody pending sentencing on May 12.
The case resulted from an investigation by the Sacramento Violent Crimes Task Force, which includes the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.









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