Hawkins Man Gets 13 Years for Atlanta Bank Heist

ATLANTA, TEXAS – A brazen daylight robbery at a Wells Fargo branch in Atlanta landed a 52-year-old Hawkins, Texas man a hefty 160-month federal prison sentence. Robin Marion Allen, originally from Louisiana, won’t be seeing daylight for a long time after pleading guilty to bank robbery.

The heist unfolded on June 25, 2012, when Allen, having borrowed a vehicle, rolled up to the Wells Fargo on East Main Street. He didn’t bother with subtlety. According to court documents, Allen approached a teller and thrust a handwritten note demanding cash. The note wasn’t flowery; it was a direct order to fill a black bag with money.

The teller, complying with the demand, handed over $1,944 in U.S. currency. Allen snatched the bag and made a quick exit. But his freedom was short-lived. Law enforcement caught up with him just two days later, on June 27, 2012, in Atlanta. The arrest followed quickly, and a federal grand jury indicted Allen on July 11, 2012, formally charging him with bank robbery.

U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap delivered the sentence today, sending Allen to federal prison to serve his 13-year and 4-month term. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the potential danger posed to bank employees and the public. Sources close to the investigation say Allen has a prior criminal history, though details were not immediately released.

The investigation was a joint effort between the FBI and the Atlanta Police Department, showcasing effective interagency cooperation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst skillfully prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and lengthy sentence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, led by U.S. Attorney John M. Bales, continues to prioritize cases involving violent crime and financial fraud.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. This conviction serves as a stark reminder that robbing a bank, even with a simple handwritten note, carries severe consequences under federal law. Allen’s days of easy money are officially over.

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