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Harrison County man receives sentence for first of two bank robberies

CLAKRSBURG, W. Va. — A Harrison County man who pleaded guilty to robbing two banks last summer has been sentenced for the first crime.

William Arney Amos

William Arney Amos, 35, of Shinnston, will spend no less than 10 years and no more than 25 years in prison after robbing the Huntington Bank.

Judge Thomas Bedell noted Thursday it was not a typical punishment for someone with no previous criminal history –except for speeding tickets and driving with a license that was suspended due to not paying those tickets. However, his use of a firearm during the crime merited the ruling in Bedell’s mind.

On July 7, after sitting out in his vehicle for some time, he came in to the White Oaks Branch of Huntington Bank, pointed a pistol at the three tellers working that afternoon and demanded money.

After receiving $4691, he lied, saying he would blow up the building with a bomb he had planted outside if anyone followed him before taking off.

He eluded authorities until July 31, when he was arrested after committing a second robbery at the Marion Square branch of WesBanco with a knife.

Amos was originally charged with a felony count of robbery and one count of making threats of terrorist acts, conveying false information concerning terrorist acts and committing terrorist hoaxes, but the latter charge was dropped as part of a plea deal with the state.

Before the sentence was issued, Amos tearfully apologized to the court, his family and the three tellers in attendance for the hearing for his actions. While he said he made no excuses, he had reached a breaking point and was desperate to provide for his three children and asked for any leniency the court would provide.

The three tellers also spoke before the ruling, not forgiving Amos for his actions and told the judge how the incident had made them fearful to do their job still.

Judge Bedell also ruled that Amos must pay back the $4691 he stole from the bank as part of his punishment and gave credit for time already served toward his prison sentence.

Amos will now await a ruling in Marion County, where he entered a similar plea agreement.

A decision must be made on whether the two sentences will run consecutively or concurrently.





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