Tennessee Bandits Sentenced for Tri-State Bank Robbery Spree

Lexington, Ky. – The grimy halls of justice were filled with a heavy dose of retribution on Friday as Markwez Wynn, 26, and Stephen Hampton, 26, were handed down a brutal sentence for their role in a bank robbery spree that terrorized communities across Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Wynn and Hampton were both sentenced to serve 65 months and 60 months in federal prison, respectively, by U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell, for bank robbery by intimidation and aiding and abetting such robberies. Their reign of terror spanned from May 2023 until May 2024, leaving a trail of fear and financial loss in their wake.

According to their plea agreements, Wynn personally robbed four banks, including one Nashville branch where he threatened to kill the teller if an alarm was triggered. Hampton, while not always at the scene, was instrumental as the getaway driver for two of these robberies. Together, they made off with over $400,000 in cash. The final, and perhaps most audacious, robbery took place on May 21, 2024, at a Forcht Bank in Lexington, where they walked away with a stunning $181,175.

In addition to their prison terms, Wynn was ordered to forfeit $84,268 and pay $376,785 in restitution, while Hampton must forfeit $82,037 and reimburse $372,175. Both men will be under the watchful eye of the U.S. Probation Office for three years after their release.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) played a pivotal role in this investigation, with agents from the Louisville, Nashville, and Lexington field offices working tirelessly to bring the duo to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. Chapman spearheaded the prosecution on behalf of the United States, ensuring that these criminals faced the full weight of federal law.

Paul McCaffrey, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Olivia Olson, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Louisville Field Office; Joseph E. Carrico, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Nashville Field Office; and Chief Lawrence Weathers of the Lexington Police Department stood united in announcing the sentences, underscoring the collaborative efforts that led to their capture.

The sentencing of Wynn and Hampton is a stark reminder of the ruthless nature of organized crime and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to protect the public and uphold justice.