Cleveland man indicted for armed robberies of credit unions in Willoughby and Shaker Heights

A Cleveland man was indicted in federal court for his role in armed robberies of credit unions in Shaker Heights and Willoughby on the same day last year.

Richode Meredith-Hill, 20, was indicted on two counts of armed credit union robbery and two counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence.

Meredith-Hill attempted to rob the Buckeye State Credit Union on Chagrin Boulevard in Shaker Heights and robbed the Cardinal Community Credit Union on Euclid Avenue in Willoughby. Both took place on April 3, 2017, according to the indictment.

Meredith-Hill aided and abetted another who used a firearm during these crimes of violence, according to the indictment.

This case is being prosecuted as part of "Project Safe Neighborhoods," a gun violence reduction program administered by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio.  The program targets armed criminals for federal prosecution.     

This case was investigated by the FBI and police departments in Cleveland, Shaker Heights, Euclid and Willoughby. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violations.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and, in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

An indictment is a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.