Lionel Valenzuela, Bank Robbery, Georgia 2019

BRUNSWICK, GA — A bank robbery caught on surveillance and stopped by a vigilant civilian has landed 55-year-old Lionel Valenzuela behind federal bars for six and a half years. Valenzuela, a paroled New York murderer, admitted to walking into the Ameris Bank at 3440 Cypress Road on October 30, 2019, brandishing the threat of a firearm and demanding cash from a terrified teller.

Valenzuela, originally from New York, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 78 months in federal prison on one count of Bank Robbery. After serving his full term, he will face three additional years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system, meaning Valenzuela will serve every mandated day behind bars.

At the time of the heist, Valenzuela was on lifetime parole in New York State after serving time for second-degree murder. That dark past followed him into federal court, where prosecutors emphasized his history as a violent repeat offender. Despite his claim of armed threat, no weapon was ever recovered from the scene or on his person after arrest.

The robbery lasted minutes. Valenzuela fled the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash, but his escape was short-lived. A private citizen recognized him and alerted law enforcement, leading to his swift capture by Brunswick Police. The stolen cash was recovered in full, and the FBI quickly moved in to build the federal case.

“Bank robbery is a terrifying, dangerous crime, and no one should have to fear for their lives while in their workplace,” said U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “We’re grateful to the alert bystander and the Brunswick Police officers who stopped Valenzuela’s brief and foolish crime spree. The great work of the FBI will send the repeat offender Valenzuela to a system where there is no parole.”

The case was jointly investigated by the FBI and the Brunswick Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and Joshua Bearden. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Chris Hacker praised the citizen who stepped forward: “Without the help of our partners in law enforcement, and our citizens, our job of protecting American citizens and upholding the Constitution would be more difficult. This bank robber was captured and will now be held accountable because a citizen witness stepped up and helped police.”

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