Savannah Man Indicted for Bank Robbery Spree

SAVANNAH, GA—Charles Johnson III, a/k/a “Chuckie,” 26, of Savannah, Georgia, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah on charges related to six bank robberies in the Savannah area. Johnson was charged with one count of bank robbery, one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, five counts of armed bank robbery, two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, and the unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The indictment alleges that Johnson robbed: (1) the Wells Fargo Bank located at 14009 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Georgia on September 25, 2012; (2) the Savannah Postal Credit Union located at 22 Oglethorpe Professional Building, Savannah, Georgia on November 8, 2012; (3) the Heritage Bank located at 620 Stephenson Avenue, Savannah, Georgia on November 26, 2012; (4) the First Chatham Bank located at 7401 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, Georgia on December 18, 2012; (5) the Colony Bank located at 7011 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, Georgia on January 3, 2013; and (6) the Savannah Bank located at 100 Chatham Parkway, Savannah, Georgia on July 11, 2013.

United States Attorney Edward Tarver stated, “The crimes alleged in this indictment are violent acts committed against the entire community. The harm inflicted extends beyond the financial, to include the fear and trauma experienced by bank employees, customers, and the pain levied on their own families. The Department of Justice’s top priority is to protect the American people. This office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to remove violent offenders from our community.”

Ricky Maxwell, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “It is criminal investigations such as this that benefit from the FBI’s recently formed Safe Streets Violent Crime Task Force based in Savannah. Agents and investigators assigned to this task force serve as a force multiplier in addressing and apprehending our community’s more violent and aggressive offenders.”

No initial appearance in court has been scheduled. If convicted on all counts, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 30 years and up to a maximum sentence of life. Mr. Tarver emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation of this case was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department SWAT team and Tactical Investigations Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Brian T. Rafferty and Tania D. Groover are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.