Three Defendants Sentenced For String Of Armed Bank Robberies

ATLANTA - Torrey Marable and two codefendants, Rico Blackwell and Jason Blackwell, were sentenced today to federal prison for armed bank robbery.

“These men terrorized bank employees when they entered the banks they robbed with guns drawn,” said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.  “Serious violent crimes should be met with serious prison sentences, such as those imposed in this case, to protect our communities.”

Mark F. Giuliano, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “Today’s sentencing ends a violent crime spree and removes four dangerous individuals from our streets.  The FBI commends the many law enforcement officers and agents that worked hard in this matter but the contributions made by those observant and responsive officers of the Austell Police Department who conducted the car stop on these individuals after a bank casing there is particularly noteworthy and commendable.”

 According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges and other information presented in court:  Beginning on August 9, 2012, and continuing until his arrest on September 5, 2012, Torrey Marable robbed banks located in Atlanta, Dunwoody, and Marietta, Ga.  Deandre Markee King and Rico Blackwell joined Marable in the Dunwoody robbery, during which all three men brandished their guns and used them to move the tellers into the vault and force them to hand over more than $71,000. 

On September 4, 2012, Marable and King canvassed another bank in Austell, Ga., forming their plan to rob the bank.  On September 5, 2012, Jason Blackwell drove Marable, King and his half-brother Rico Blackwell, near a PNC Bank in Austell.  At the same time, law enforcement was on the lookout for a car matching the description of the one Jason Blackwell was driving.  They were also looking for a man with dreadlocks, which was the style of Marable’s hair.  Before the robbery occurred, Austell police pulled the car Jason Blackwell was driving over, finding Marable, King and Rico Blackwell all with semi-automatic handguns within their reach.  Police also found two surgical masks, two bandanas and latex gloves in the car.   

Marable, 21, of Decatur, Ga., was sentenced by United States District Judge Evans to 27 years in prison to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.  Marable was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $89,644.  He was convicted of these charges on April 4, 2013, upon his plea of guilty.

Rico Blackwell, 22, of Decatur, Ga., received 138 months in prison and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $71,668; and Jason Blackwell, 32, of Decatur, Ga., received 84 months in prison.  These prison sentences will be followed with 3 years of supervised release.  Deandre Markee King, 28, of Decatur, Ga. will be sentenced on August 28, 2013.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Cobb County Police Department and the Austell Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Susan Coppedge prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.