Twin Cities man who robbed 3 banks in one month is sentenced to nearly five years in prison

A Twin Cities man who robbed three banks in one month in different suburbs last year has been sentenced.

Michael T. Prall, 43, of Cottage Grove, was sentenced in U.S. District Court last week to 4 ³⁄₄ years in prison for the robberies that netted him slightly more than $7,900.

Chief federal Judge Patrick Schiltz also ordered Prall to make full restitution and serve three years' supervised release.

Prall's defense argued in a presentence filing for a four-year term, citing the psychological impact on him from fetal alcohol syndrome. Prosecutors sought a five-year sentence.

Prall pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery but admitted to all three heists.

On Nov. 5, he took $2,558 from a teller at the U.S. Bank branch near W. 98th Street and Normandale Boulevard in Bloomington.

On Nov. 19, Prall robbed a Bremer Bank branch in Woodbury, near Woodbury and Commerce drives, of $4,589.

Charges filed earlier in Washington County District Court but dismissed because of the federal case alleged that Prall gave the Wells Fargo teller a note that read something like, "This is a robbery. Give me all the money in your drawer. You have 30 seconds, or I'll shoot you."

None of the charges say that Prall had a weapon with him during the robberies.