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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Beach bacteria thresholds may tighten ... Our View: Who politicized the UCC shootings? Not Obama ... View from 100,000 feet ... Beach bacteria thresholds may tighten ... Our View: Who politicized the UCC shootings? Not Obama ... View from 100,000 feet ... PORTLAND Former hero who foiled bank heist pleads guilty to Oregon bank robbery Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Sep. 1, 2015 at 4:30 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Sep. 1, 2015 at 4:30 PM » Social News PORTLAND — An Oregon man who earned an award five years ago for stopping an armed bank robbery has pleaded guilty to committing an armed bank robbery. Mark Rothwell, 50, admitted Tuesday he pointed a gun at two Portland bank tellers in February and fled with $16,588 that was later recovered by authorities. Under the terms of a plea deal, Rothwell is expected to be sentenced in December to seven years in federal prison and then face deportation to his native England. "I'm sure you've heard many people say before you that they are a changed man," the ex-Londoner told U.S. District Court Judge Robert Jones. "I am not a changed man, your honor. I was a changed man several months ago when I committed this crime. I have worked my way back to being the man that I have been for most of my life." The guilty plea represents a stunning downfall for a man with no criminal history who has owned a Portland business since 2003 — London Pride Renovation & Remodeling. In 2010, Rothwell knocked a gun away from a would-be bank robber and detained him until officers arrived. The action, which happened at a bank not far from the one he held up, netted him the Civilian Medal for Heroism from Portland police. Federal public defender Ruben Iniguez said his client robbed the bank at a time he was "out of his mind" because of heavy drug use and problems at work and home. "His life was in a mess," Iniguez said. "He was having an affair, the affair had been discovered. He was not sure what to do." Rothwell's wife and two children sat in the courtroom, crying enough for a court employee to give them a box of tissues. Rothwell, who has been in jail since his arrest, apologized for scaring the bank tellers and putting his family through "some awful times." Before being led away, he asked the judge for permission to hug his daughter, Lucy, who is going overseas in a few days. The judge granted the wish and the pair embraced near the defense table. By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Sep. 1, 2015 at 4:30 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501