Edwardsville/Glen Carbon/Springfield Bank Robber Pleads Guilty

Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Adrianna C. Frye-Williamson, 21, Springfield, Illinois, pled guilty today to three bank robberies she committed in Illinois between January 12 and February 9, 2017. The first bank robbery occurred in Springfield on January 12, the second occurred in Edwardsville on January 20, and the third occurred in Glen Carbon on February 9, 2017. Frye-Williamson faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment, three years’ supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment on each count. Restitution is mandatory.

According to court documents, on January 12, 2017, Frye-Williamson, wearing a hat and sunglasses, entered the Illini Bank in Springfield and presented a note that stated, "This is a robbery. I have a bomb strapped to me. Large bills only," or words similar as described by the teller. On January 20, 2017, Frye-Williamson, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, entered the National Bank in Edwardsville and presented a note reading, "This is a robbery. I have a gun – BIG BILLS ONLY." On February 9, 2017, Frye-Williamson, wearing a baseball cap, entered the U.S. Bank in Glen Carbon and presented a note indicating that she was committing a robbery and had a gun. The tellers complied in each robbery by handing over money from their teller drawers. The banks were insured by the FDIC at the time of the robberies.

Law enforcement arrested Frye-Williamson on February 10, 2017, in Springfield. During a search of her car, the baseball cap worn by Frye-Williamson during the U.S. Bank robbery, and a note that read, "This is a robbery [sic] I have a gun," were located. Law enforcement recovered some of the stolen money during a search of Frye-Williamson’s home. Following advice of rights, Frye-Williamson acknowledged committing the bank robberies.

Information leading to the charges against Frye-Williamson was obtained in an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sentencing is scheduled for November 2, 2017.