FBI, KPD, and KCSO, as Part of the Safe Streets Task Force, Apprehend the Individual Suspected of Robbing the First Volunteer Bank Yesterday

The Knoxville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Chief Christopher Anderson of  the Jellico Police Department announce the arrest of Billy Joe Blankenship on state bank robbery charges related to the robbery of the First Volunteer Bank in Jellico, Tennessee, on July 14, 2009.

At approximately 2:50 p.m. yesterday, a suspect entered the First Volunteer Bank in Jellico, displayed a firearm, provided a bag to the teller, and instructed her to fill the bag and not activate any alarms. The subject was armed with what appeared to be a black, semi-automatic pistol. After obtaining an underdetermined amount of money, the suspect fled the scene on foot.

At approximately 9:00 last night, Billy Joe Blankenship, age 31, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, was arrested in Williamsburg, without incident, by members of the Knoxville FBI Safe Streets Task Force (SSTF), Jellico Police Department, and the Williamsburg, Kentucky, Police Department. He is suspected of robbing the First Volunteer Bank located 5th and Broad in Jellico, Tennessee. Blankenship is now facing charges in the state of Tennessee for Bank Robbery.

This matter was jointly investigated by the FBI SSTF and the Jellico Police Department.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.