The man who robbed a slew of banks in Rhode Island, including in Cranston, today was sentenced to six years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to committing nine bank heists.
Justin Worley, 34, was sentenced to 73 months and three years of supervised release once he gets out of jail. He will also have to pay full restitution totaling $32,633.
In March, Worley pleaded guilty to nine counts of bank robbery following his arrest at a Seekonk motel last September by East Providence and Seekonk police. He got the handle of "Bearded Bandit" because he wore the same dark beard and, usually, a knit hat as a disguise.Popular Stories
He admitted to U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith, according to the U.S. Attorney, that he robbed eight banks in Rhode Island between April 16 and Sept. 18 last year and one in Seekonk in February, 2012, walking away with $32,633.
Worley reportedly refuted the charges that he threatened bank tellers with bodily harm or death while committing the robberies, although he reportedly told tellers he was carrying a gun. He reportedly never showed a weapon, though.
Find out what's happening in Cranstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Barrington, Cranston, East Providence, North Providence, Pawtucket, Seekonk and Warwick Police Departments and the FBI investigated the bank robberies. He has been in federal custody since last November.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
