Logan County Bank Robber Sentenced to Over 19 Years in Prison

CHARLESTON, WV—A Chapmanville, West Virginia man who previously admitted to robbing a Logan County, West Virginia bank was sentenced today to 235 months in prison and ordered to pay $27,529.66 in restitution. Brian Lee Corbett, 34, pled guilty to aggravated bank robbery in May.

According to court documents, on December 8, 2009, Corbett entered the Boone County Bank branch located in Logan County. Wearing a mask, Corbett pointed two loaded handguns at the tellers and demanded money. The investigation revealed that prior to the robbery, Corbett had asked a friend, Jason Williamson, to drive a borrowed sedan and park the vehicle approximately three blocks from the bank. Corbett then traveled to the bank with another person in a pickup truck. At this time, however, Corbett did not divulge to Williamson or the other driver his plan to rob the bank. Corbett fled the bank on foot with approximately $33,000 he had obtained from the tellers, traveled to the location where Williamson was waiting and directed Williamson to drive away. The duo then abandoned the vehicle and concealed the mask and some of the clothing worn during the robbery.

Williamson, who by this time knew that Corbett had robbed the bank, advised Corbett to leave the area to avoid apprehension. The two then agreed to create a false alibi to account for Corbett’s whereabouts at the time of the bank robbery. Corbett and Williamson also convinced another person to tell the false alibi story to law enforcement. When questioned by law enforcement later the same day, Williamson and the other individual provided to law enforcement the false alibi upon which they all had agreed.

Williamson pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the robbery and was sentenced last month to 21 months in prison.

Today, United States District Judge Thomas E. Johnston imposed the maximum sentence advised by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines while noting Corbett’s extensive, violent criminal history, the seriousness of the offense and the impact on the victims. “You (Corbett) terrorized these people (the victims),” stated Judge Johnston. Judge Johnston also characterized Corbett as being violent, dangerous, and having no concern for the safety of others or society.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, West Virginia State Police, Logan County Sheriff’s Department, and Logan Police Department jointly conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Steven R. Ruby handled the prosecution.