Columbus Bank Robber Belt Admits Guilt

COLUMBUS, GA – A brazen daylight robbery at a Wells Fargo branch on Milgen Road has led to a guilty plea from 26-year-old Christopher Belt of Columbus, Georgia. Belt admitted to robbing the bank on March 18, 2016, brandishing a firearm and making off with $8,101. The plea came after a jury had been selected, signaling a likely trial Belt now avoids.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, Belt entered the bank disguised, approached a teller, and demanded cash. The entire operation lasted less than a minute before he fled in a gold-colored Ford Fusion. A sharp-eyed bank employee managed to jot down the vehicle’s license plate, a crucial piece of evidence that quickly led investigators to a known associate of Belt’s. Columbus Police apprehended him on April 5, 2016, though the stolen funds and the weapon used in the crime remain unrecovered.

U.S. Attorney G.F. “Pete” Peterman, III, announced the guilty plea, delivered before District Court Judge Clay D. Land on February 27, 2017. Belt faces a significant prison sentence. Bank robbery carries a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars. The charge of possession of a firearm during a violent crime adds another potential five years, and, critically, that sentence must be served consecutively to any time handed down for the robbery itself.

Beyond incarceration, Belt will also be required to make full restitution to Wells Fargo Bank in the amount of $8,101 – the sum he stole during the heist. While the recovery of the stolen money remains outstanding, this order ensures the bank will be financially compensated for the loss. The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Columbus Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling federal crimes.

Assistant United States Attorney Melvin E. Hyde is leading the prosecution for the government. The case underscores the swift response to bank robberies, particularly when a firearm is involved. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case through sentencing and beyond, providing updates on Belt’s fate and any further developments.

Anyone with questions regarding this case is directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 13, 2017, where Judge Land will determine the extent of Belt’s punishment for this reckless act of violence and theft.