Man Admits Robberies as ‘Briefcase Bandit’ : Agreement: Moorpark resident pleads guilty to six robbery counts. He faces a maximum penalty of 25-year sentence and $250,000 fine for each count.

A Moorpark man who federal agents say held up at least 14 banks in the San Fernando Valley pleaded guilty to six robbery counts in a federal court Monday as part of an agreement between his attorney and federal prosecutors.

Jay Carlton Brammer, 24, was dubbed the “Briefcase Bandit” by FBI agents because he usually carried a briefcase containing a gun used during the crimes, authorities said.

At the U.S. District Court hearing, Brammer admitted to Judge Audrey Collins that he robbed six banks in the San Fernando Valley, said Barbara Masterson, the U.S. attorney prosecuting the case. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 10, Masterson said.

He admitted robbing two banks in Northridge, two in Encino and one each in Studio City and Tarzana between November and March, Masterson said. Those robberies netted Brammer, a former credit card phone services entrepreneur, more than $18,000, she added.

Each count carries a maximum penalty of a 25-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine, Rickard Santwier, Brammer’s attorney, said.

The plea agreement can be thrown out by a judge at sentencing, he said.

Santwier, described his client as an anomaly in the criminal justice system.

“He has no prior convictions, and seems very much like the guy who lives next door,” Santwier said. “He is going to jail for a long time, but it’s entirely up to the judge as to what will happen.”

Brammer was a suspect in as many as 19 holdups, and most of his targets in the yearlong robbery spree were along Ventura Boulevard and in west San Fernando Valley communities, authorities said.

Media attention to Brammer and his flamboyant style, including news reports featuring bank surveillance photos, apparently unnerved the bandit, and late on March 21 he surrendered to FBI agents.

Brammer called ahead to identify himself to somewhat skeptical agents as the “Briefcase Bandit.” At 8:10 p.m., about 10 minutes after he made the call, Brammer walked into the federal office building in Westwood and waited patiently for agents to come to the lobby. When they arrived he raised his arms above his waist and shrugged, according to court records.