A Virginia Beach man was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison for robbing five banks in Suffolk and other Hampton Roads cities.

James Nathan Pizer, 43, was sentenced in Norfolk federal court to 18 years in prison, followed by a five year term of supervised release, for his robberies.

Neil H. MacBride, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, made the announcement after Pizer was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson. Pizer pleaded guilty to the robbery charges on April 26, 2011.

According to court documents, Pizer admitted to robbing five banks in Suffolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach between July and November 2010. He also admitted that he attempted to rob a sixth bank on Nov. 24, 2010, but was unable to enter the bank because tellers saw him coming, recognized him from warning fliers disseminated by law enforcement and refused to allow him to enter the bank. Pizer was arrested later that day.

The case was investigated by the FBI. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron M. Rountree and Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin L. Hatch prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.