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Press Release
COLUMBUS – A federal grand jury indicted Ikechi W. Emeaghara, 27, of Columbus, today in a superseding indictment charging him with seven additional armed bank robberies. He was indicted on one other count of armed bank robbery on November 10.
Emeaghara is alleged to be the armed robber dubbed as the “Buckeye Bandit” by law enforcement. Investigation continues on at least 20 other robberies in central Ohio.
Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Brad Earman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Angela L. Byers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Field Office; Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs; Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott; Delaware County Sheriff Russell L. Martin; Ohio State University Police Chief Craig Stone; Worthington Police Chief Jerry L. Strait, Jr.; Upper Arlington Police Chief Tracy Hahn and Gahanna Police Chief Dennis Murphy announced the superseding indictment returned today.
According to public court documents, Emeaghara allegedly brandished a dangerous weapon and demanded cash from bank teller’s drawers on the following occasions:
* Denotes armed robbery charges that also include forcing one or more persons to accompany him within the bank.
Armed bank robbery is a crime punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Armed robbery including forcing one or more persons to accompany the defendant without their consent is punishable by at least 10 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by law enforcement and Deputy Criminal Chief Gary L. Spartis and Assistant U.S. Attorney Salvador A. Dominguez, who are prosecuting the case.
A federal indictment merely contains allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.