BUFFALO, N.Y.- Ronald Morris, 48, who was convicted of aggravated bank robbery, attempted bank robbery, and using, possessing, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in robberies at three credit unions, has been sentenced.
Morris is set to serve 171 months in prison and pay restitution totaling $551,286 by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that
The Crimes
According to prosecutors:
- On Feb. 27, 2019, Morris a/k/a “Cracks,” and Adrian D. Applewhite entered the Tonawanda Community FCU on Delaware Street in Tonawanda, armed with a firearm. The two men forcibly took approximately $111,992.18 before fleeing in a vehicle.
- On July 25, 2019, Morris and Myron McCollum entered the South Towns Community FCU on South Park Avenue in Lackawanna wearing dark colored clothing and face masks and conducted a bank robbery with pepper spray and a pistol. “Morris and McCollum traversed the teller’s counter, sprayed the tellers with pepper spray, and went to the unlocked safe, forcibly taking $290,500 in United States currency,” prosecutors said.
- On Nov. 7, 2019, Morris and Carl Wilson and Myron McCollum, armed with a pistol and donning masks and gloves, entered the Clarence Community and School FCU on Sheridan Drive in Clarence, and conducted a bank robbery while Applewhite, the getaway driver, sat in a car nearby. “Morris and his accomplices ordered all the employees to the ground and demanded money,” according to the U.S. Attorney. “Wilson and McCollum went behind the teller line and went through teller’s drawers, while Morris went to the vault. They forcibly took $148,793.90 in United States currency.”
Carl Wilson, Adrian Applewhite, and Myron McCollum were all previously convicted.
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