COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Fairfield County man was sentenced Thursday to more than 13 years in prison for armed bank robberies he committed in southeast Ohio in 2020, according to U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker.
William Johnson, 58, of Lancaster, committed armed robberies in August 2020 in Athens and October 2020 in Marietta, the attorney's office said.
In addition to serving 13 and a half years in prison, he will pay more than $50,000 in restitution.
According to court documents, on Aug. 17, 2020, Johnson pulled out a gun at Hocking Valley Bank in Athens. He wore a prosthetic forehead and nose, skin-toned arm sleeves and gloves, makeup and a COVID mask to disguise his appearance.
He ordered employees to get on the floor and then emptied several cash drawers. In total, he took more than $25,000. After stealing the cash, he tied the employees’ hands with zip ties. Johnson took the bank manager's car keys and fled the bank in the stolen vehicle.
On Oct. 22, 2020, Johnson robbed the Citizens Bank on North Second Street in Marietta. Johnson was wearing a full-length Halloween-style mask that made him appear to be an old man and wore a red hood pulled up around his face.
He pulled out a gun and forced his way behind the bank teller's counter, stealing over $11,000.
At the time, Johnson had a warrant out for his arrest for a pending indictment for a bank robbery in Williamstown, West Virginia.
Law enforcement officers spotted Johnson driving in West Virginia on the evening of the Marietta bank robbery and pulled him over. Johnson attempted to flee on foot, telling officers they would have to kill him to take him into custody again. Officers tased Johnson and placed him under arrest.
Officers searched Johnson’s vehicle and located more than $9,000 in cash, a loaded handgun, zip ties and his disguises.
