Dauphin County Man Charged Federally For Armed Bank Robbery And Firearm Violations

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that a Grand Jury in Harrisburg indicted a Dauphin County man charging him with armed bank robbery, possession of a loaded firearm during a crime of violence and being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, on August 31, 2016, Donell Williams, age 39, allegedly robbed the AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union, Enola, Pennsylvania.  Approximately $1,500 was taken.  Williams was later taken into custody.  Williams is a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a districtwide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the East Pennsboro Township Police Department.  The City of Harrisburg Bureau of Police assisted in Williams’ arrest.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom.  

Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.  A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law, for Count 1 is 25 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.  The maximum penalty under federal law, for Count 2 is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.  Count 2 carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of seven years. The maximum penalty under federal law, for Count 3 is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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