Serial Robber Sentenced to 22 Years for Armed Robbery Spree

James Linwood Jones, 51, of Nashville, TN, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge William J. Haynes, Jr., to a criminal information charging him with a string of armed robberies, announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee. Jones was sentenced to 264 months in prison, or 22 years. Jones also agreed to make restitution to the businesses he robbed.

U.S. Attorney Jerry Martin congratulated the tireless efforts of both federal and local law enforcement in responding to and investigating these crimes. “The sentence in this case is an appropriate reflection of the seriousness of the crime in this case, and this should serve as a reminder of the swift consequences that will follow anyone who uses a weapon to rob area banks and businesses.”

Jones admitted to committing an armed robbery spree of Middle Tennessee banks, businesses and a post office in the spring and summer of 2011. Jones admitted to robbing a U.S. Bank in Goodlettesville, Tenn. on May 13, a Bank of America and a Post Office in Nashville, Tenn. on May 26, a Holiday Inn Express in Goodlettesville, Tenn. on June 4, a Bank of America in Nashville on June 6, a Community Bank and Trust in Kingston Springs, Tenn. on June 15, a First Tennessee Bank in Franklin, Tenn. on June 18, and a Community Bank and Trust in Pegram, Tenn. on June 27. Jones often carried a gun with him, or a device designed to resemble an explosive.

Jones was arrested on June 30, 2011 and he has been held without bond since that time.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek.