A man described by authorities as a serial bank robber has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Prosecutors say 39-year-old Timothy Shaw admitted robbing five St. Louis banks between September 2010 and March 2011. He used a BB gun in the crimes and got away with a total of about $15,000.

Shaw was suspected of robbing more than 20 banks. He pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree robbery and four counts of armed criminal action in February, and was sentenced Friday.