ALBANY – The final defendant charged in the armed robbery of an Albany, Georgia bank was found guilty by a federal jury late Tuesday afternoon following a two-day trial, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Shataz Hampton, 25, of Albany, was found guilty of one count Bank Robbery and one count Brandishing a Firearm. Mr. Hampton’s trial began on Monday, August 19, 2019 and was presided over by U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner. Earlier this year, Mr. Hampton’s co-defendant, Kamilyah Whitlock, 25, of Albany, was found guilty by a citizen jury on the same criminal charges following a four-day trial in February. The penalty for these crimes are a maximum 25 years for Bank Robbery and a maximum of life in prison for Brandishing a Firearm. Ms. Whitlock will be sentenced on September 4, 2019 at 10 a.m. A sentencing date has not been set for Mr. Hampton. Mr. Hampton and Ms. Whitlock were masked and armed when they robbed The Renasant Bank on North Westover Boulevard in Albany, Georgia on November 6, 2017. There were more than a dozen customers and employees inside.

“The citizens of Southwest Georgia will not stand for violence in their community. With this final conviction, both offenders will be held accountable for their crimes” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the investigators with the Albany Police Department and the FBI for their work in this case.”

The case was investigated by the Albany Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.

ALBANY – The first of two co-defendants charged in the armed robbery of an Albany bank was found guilty following a four day trial, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. A citizen jury found Kamilyah Whitlock, 25, of Albany guilty late Thursday afternoon on all charges, Bank Robbery and Brandishing a Firearm. The trial began Monday, February 18, 2019 and was presided by the Honorable Leslie Gardner, U.S. District Judge. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. The penalties for these crimes are a maximum 25 years in prison for Bank Robbery, and a maximum of life in prison for Brandishing a Firearm.

Ms. Whitlock was masked when she robbed The Renasant Bank at 721 N. Westover Blvd., Albany, GA on November 6, 2017 with more than a dozen customers and employees inside, 1:30 p.m. on a Monday. A co-defendant in this case, Shataz Hampton, 25, of Albany, is charged with one count of Bank Robbery and one count of Brandishing a Firearm.  No date has been set for Mr. Hampton’s trial.

“This armed robbery struck fear in the hearts of the people of this community.  I want to thank the FBI, Albany Police Department and other state and local law enforcement for their hard work investigating this matter” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “The people of Southwest Georgia want a safe place to raise their families. This conviction sends a message that law enforcement is committed to providing safe neighborhoods to all of our citizens.”

The case was investigated by the Albany Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government.

Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.

ALBANY – The man charged with holding up an Albany bank at gunpoint has been denied bond today by a Federal Magistrate Judge, said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. Shataz Hampton, 25, of Albany is charged with one count of Bank Robbery and one count of Possession of a Firearm, along with co-defendant Kamilyah Whitlock, 25, of Albany. The two defendants are charged in the armed robbery of the Renasant Bank at 721 N. Westover Blvd., Albany, GA on November 6, 2017.  The Honorable Thomas Langstaff, U.S. District Magistrate Court, detained Mr. Hampton on January 30, 2019 until trial. No date has been set.

“I am pleased the Court granted our motion to detain Mr. Hampton, a man alleged to have brandished a gun and robbed a bank in broad daylight, with innocent customers and employees inside,” said Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. “Rest assured, we will prosecute those accused of violent acts to the fullest extent of the law, and we will continue to vigorously seek the highest level of punishment for people who commit the most egregious crimes.”

The case was investigated by the Albany Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government.

Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.