Newark Bank Robber Joshua Lewis Gets 7 Years

WILMINGTON, Del. – Joshua Lewis, 37, of Newark, Delaware, will spend the next 84 months in federal prison after being sentenced last week for a brazen spree of bank robberies and illegal firearm possession. U.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray announced the sentencing, a clear message that Delaware’s financial institutions—and the people who work in them—will not be easy targets.

Lewis targeted banks in Wilmington and Dover in February 2023, making off with over $6,000 in stolen cash. But the robbery wasn’t the end of the story. When law enforcement moved in to apprehend him at his home, Lewis attempted a desperate flight. A search of the vehicle he was driving revealed a loaded, privately manufactured firearm – a so-called “ghost gun” with no serial number – and a cache of 9mm ammunition. The fact that Lewis, a convicted felon, was in possession of both is a chilling detail that speaks to his disregard for the law.

“Mr. Lewis’s brazen robberies instilled fear in his victims and served only to undermine the security of our financial system,” stated U.S. Attorney Murray. “His possession of ammunition within an untraceable gun—despite multiple prior felony convictions—only added to the danger he posed to society. This sentence reinforces the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protecting the public and keeping guns out of the hands of people who fail to follow the law.”

The collaborative effort that brought Lewis to justice was highlighted by local law enforcement officials. Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson bluntly stated, “Considering this offender’s felony criminal history, he should have never been in the position to start robbing banks.” Johnson emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation, calling the case “another example of great collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement partners.” Delaware State Police Superintendent William D. Crotty echoed that sentiment, praising the “strong partnership” that led to a “successful conclusion.”

The human cost of Lewis’s actions wasn’t lost on investigators. FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno underscored the trauma inflicted on bank employees. “Multiple bank employees, who were simply doing their jobs, must now deal with the pain and trauma inflicted on them by Joshua Lewis,” DelBagno said. “He threatened violence without regard for who he hurt and how.”

The case was a joint investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit, Dover Police Department, and the FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan C. Williamson and Eli H. Klein successfully prosecuted Lewis. Court documents related to the case, including Case No. 1:24-cr-13-GBW, are available on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware website and through PACER. The sentence serves as a stark reminder: armed robbery and illegal gun possession will be met with swift and severe consequences in Delaware.

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