Morrow County man sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for 2 armed bank robberies near Polaris mall

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A Morrow County man was sentenced in federal court here today to 171 months in prison for robbing the same bank at gunpoint twice in the spring of 2025.

James Travis Scurlock, 44, of Cardington, stole a total of approximately $41,000 from a bank branch near the Polaris mall.

According to court documents, on March 6 and May 16, Scurlock robbed the Huntington Bank on Gemini Place while carrying a firearm. Scurlock wore a black sweatshirt, jeans, white Nike shoes, black gloves and a white camouflage mask during both robberies.

During the first robbery, he initially inquired about opening a bank account. After the teller asked him for two forms of identification, he pointed a handgun at the teller and told the teller to put money in his backpack. Scurlock then stole approximately $13,700.

During the May robbery, Scurlock pointed the handgun at a teller before walking to two tellers’ drawers and taking cash. He then ordered the tellers to the vault and placed more cash into his backpack. Scurlock stole approximately $27,700 during the second robbery.

The defendant was charged in June 2025 and pleaded guilty in October 2025. 

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Jason Cromartie, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division, announced the sentence imposed today by Senior U.S. District Judge James L. Graham. Assistant Deputy Criminal Chief Noah R. Litton is representing the United States in this case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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