Lancaster, Ohio resident William E. Johnson, 58, has admitted to robbing banks in Athens and Marietta in 2020. The feds secured a plea deal that will lock Johnson up for more than 13 years, a significant win for investigators who pieced together a string of brazen heists.
Johnson confessed to the August 17, 2020, robbery of the Hocking Valley Bank in Athens. He walked in, brandished a firearm, and forced employees to the floor. He didn’t just want the money; he tied up the workers with zip ties and demanded over $25,000. The use of restraints shows a clear escalation of violence and disregard for the victims.
Just over two months later, on October 22, 2020, Johnson targeted the Citizens Bank in Marietta. This time, he went full disguise, sporting a creepy, full-length Halloween mask designed to make him look like an elderly man, along with a red hood. He vaulted the counter, emptied drawers, and made off with nearly $11,400. The level of planning – and audacity – is striking.
What really stands out is Johnson’s attempt to completely obscure his identity. In Athens, he used a prosthetic forehead and nose, skin-toned sleeves, gloves, and makeup. He even used a COVID mask as an additional layer of concealment. The Marietta robbery saw him doubling down on the disguise with the old man mask. These weren’t spur-of-the-moment decisions; they were calculated attempts to evade capture.
The feds caught up with Johnson after the Marietta robbery. He was spotted driving in West Virginia and tried to run when officers pulled him over. It took a taser to subdue him. A search of his vehicle turned up over $9,000 in cash, a loaded handgun, zip ties, and the disguises used in both robberies. The evidence was overwhelming.
Federal prosecutors built a solid case with the help of a multi-agency task force. The FBI, along with police departments in Athens, Marietta, Williamstown and Parkersburg, West Virginia, and sheriff’s offices from Washington and Wood counties in West Virginia, all contributed to the investigation. The West Virginia State Police also played a vital role. This was a coordinated effort that brought a dangerous criminal to account.
Johnson’s plea avoids a trial, but the agreed-upon sentence is substantial. He’ll have plenty of time to reflect on his choices behind bars. This case serves as a warning: robbing banks, even with elaborate disguises, won’t pay off in the long run. The feds are watching, and they’re getting better at catching these guys.
The investigation is now considered closed, but federal authorities are reviewing whether Johnson may have been involved in other bank robberies in the region. Anyone with information is urged to contact their local FBI field office.
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