COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus resident with a long criminal history who went on a rampage in March 2020 and robbed three banks for several days was sentenced today to 90 months in prison, said Peter D. Leary, acting U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Jason Arnold, 50, from Columbus, who previously pleaded guilty to three bank robbery charges before US District Judge Clay D. Land, was sentenced today to 90 months in prison followed by a three year custody release. Arnold is required to pay $ 5,023.02 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Arnold is a professional criminal who has threatened the Columbus community with repeated bank robberies and who will now face the consequences of his crimes – federal prison without parole,” said acting US attorney Leary. “I want to thank the Columbus Police Department and the FBI for investigating this case and working tirelessly to get Arnold into custody.”
“In a matter of days, Arnold was terrorizing innocent citizens who were just doing their job,” said Chris Hacker, FBI Atlanta special agent. “With the help of our partners in the Columbus Police Department, we were able to conveniently get him off the streets before he could terrorize others, and now he’s being kept off the streets for a long time.”
In March 2020, Arnold robbed banks in Columbus. The first robbery occurred on March 17th at Synovus Bank on 10th Avenue. Arnold gave the cashier an inquiry slip and the cashier gave Arnold cash. The second robbery occurred the next day, March 18, at Wells Fargo Bank on Bradley Park Drive. Arnold again handed the cashier a solicitation note and received money. The third and final robbery occurred on March 21st at Wells Fargo Bank on Victory Drive. Arnold handed over an inquiry form, took money from the cashier, and left the bank. During that robbery, the cashier said Arnold made it look like he had a gun based on how he held his hand near his jacket. All three robberies were captured on surveillance video. Two witnesses to the third robbery recognized Arnold as the man who robbed two banks earlier this week. FBI agents and Columbus Police Department officers arrested Arnold on April 1. Arnold confessed to all three bank robberies. Arnold has an extensive criminal history that includes five previous convictions for theft and convictions for robbery and escape.
The case has been investigated by the FBI and the Columbus Police Department. U.S. Assistant Attorney Christopher Williams is prosecuting the case for the government. Questions may be directed to Pamela Lightsey, U.S. Attorney General Information Officer, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Director of Public Affairs (Contractor), U.S. Attorney’s Office at (478) 765-2362.
