Dauphin County Man Pleads Guilty To Armed Bank Robbery And Firearm Offense

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Donell Williams, age 39, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pled guilty on May 30, 2017, before Chief United States District Judge Christopher C. Conner to armed bank robbery and possession of a loaded firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, on August 31, 2016, Williams entered the AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union, in Enola, Pennsylvania, with a loaded firearm and demanded money from the credit union’s employees. Williams fled with under $1,500 before becoming involved in a high speed chase with speeds up to 123 mph. At the end of the chase, Williams exited the vehicle and fled on foot. After a short foot chase, Williams was arrested and the loaded firearm used during the robbery and the money were recovered. Williams is a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm.

This case was brought as part of the Violent Crime Reduction Partnership (“VCRP”), a district wide initiative to combat the spread of violent crime in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office, the VCRP consists of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies whose mission is to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes with firearms.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the East Pennsboro Township Police Department. The City of Harrisburg Bureau of Police assisted in Williams’ arrest. Assistant United States Attorney Daryl F. Bloom prosecuted the case.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The maximum penalty under federal law, for Count one is 25 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. The maximum penalty under federal law, for Count two is life imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Count two carries a mandatory consecutive term of imprisonment of seven years. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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