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Press Release

Columbus Bank Robber Sentenced To 78 Months

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Georgia

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced that Frederick Worrills, 47, of Columbus, Georgia was sentenced today by the Honorable Judge Clay D. Land, United States District Judge in Columbus. Mr. Worrills was sentenced to 78 months for bank robbery.          

On December 17, 2014, Mr. Worrills entered a Bank of America branch in Columbus and attempted to withdraw funds from his account. Mr. Worrills was told that his account was overdrawn by the teller. He left without any incident. Later that same day, Mr. Worrills returned and approached the same teller. He didn’t try to conceal his identity, even though he was known to many of the tellers. Mr. Worrills handed the teller a note that stated “Give me all your money I got a gun.” No firearm could be seen but Mr. Worrills kept one hand out of sight. He left with $3764.54. The robbery was captured on surveillance video. The teller and other Bank of America employees positively identified Mr. Worrills as the robber. The FBI went to Mr. Worrills’ address and met with his mother who lives with him. She also identified Mr. Worrills as the robber.

“Mr. Worrills not only took money from a federally insured bank, he also put lives in jeopardy by threatening the tellers and requiring law enforcement officers to search for him,” United States Attorney Michael Moore said. “Instead of hitting the jackpot, Mr. Worrills will be hitting the federal prison system, where he’ll serve a sentence that is appropriate for his criminal conduct.”

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Columbus Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Melvin E. Hyde, Jr. prosecuted the case on behalf of the Government.          

Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pam Lightsey at the United States Attorney’s Office at 478-752-3511.

Updated May 21, 2015