Serial Robber Who Menaced Marietta Banks Gets 25 Years

MARIETTA, GA -- A Cobb County man convicted in a violent spree of bank robberies, including several in Marietta, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison, federal officials announced Monday. Kevin Ray Williamson went on a 7-month string of bank heists in 2016 in which he threatened to "empty the clip" on at least one bank teller, U.S. Attorney John Horn said in a news release.

“Williamson’s violent crime spree put citizens in our community on edge for months, especially bank employees just doing their jobs,” said Horn. “Thankfully, an observant citizen brought his criminal conduct to an abrupt end.” (To get notified of more local news like this, click here to sign up for the Marietta Patch. Or find your Atlanta-area town here. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Williamson, of Marietta, began holding up the banks in February 2016 when he entered a Fifth Third Bank in Marietta, menacing the bank teller with a gun. His spree continued until September of that year, federal officials said.

“The lengthy sentence handed down in federal court removes a violent serial offender from our streets. The details of the robberies committed by Mr. Williamson illustrate a total lack of regard for his victims, many of whom will, for many years, be dealing with the emotional trauma of having a gun pointed at them by an armed bank robber,” David J. LeValley, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, said in a statement.

Other banks that Williamson hit in his spree include:

-- A Regions Bank in Marietta on April 1, 2016. Armed with a handgun, Williamson pointed his handgun at the teller, opened his messenger bag and demanded cash.

-- A BB&T Bank in Marietta on May 25, 2016. Williamson approached a bank teller, displayed a black handgun, and demanded cash.

-- A PNC Bank in Marietta, on July 13, 2016. Bank surveillance images showed Williamson approaching the teller carrying a messenger/computer type bag.

-- A Fidelity Bank located in Atlanta on August 22, 2016. Inside the bank, he pointed a gun at a teller, same as before, demanding cash.

-- A Renasant Bank located in Johns Creek on September 8, 2016. Williamson told the teller that she would die if he did not receive more than $5,000.

Williamson pleaded guilty to six counts of armed bank robbery and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in February. Along with his 25-year sentence, Williamson is ordered to pay $30,867 in restitution.

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