5th Accused In Violent Bank Robbery Arraigned: DOJ

ATLANTA, GA — The final defendant accused of robbing the United Bank in Woodbury on June 28 was arraigned Thursday, according to a release from the Department of Justice's north Georgia office. D'Asis Sheffield, 20, of Greenville, is facing federal charges of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

At approximately 12:25 p.m., June 28, three suspects, two armed with handguns and the third armed with an AR-15 rifle, entered the United Bank, 33 Jones Mill Road, Woodbury, Ga. and forced employees to the ground at gunpoint and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

Sheffield and four other alleged accomplices in the robbery were indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 15. They are: Antavious Bray, 29, of Greenville; Derrick Scott, 26, of Manchester; Dontavius Prather, 22, of Greenville; and Shaneka Copeland, 35, of Manchester.

“Sheffield attempted to evade capture after terrorizing innocent victims and endangering their lives during this armed robbery,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak, the release said.

“Fortunately, thanks to the assistance of the public and the hard work of law enforcement, Sheffield and his co-defendants will now have to answer for their crimes. This case demonstrates that all citizens play an important role in keeping our communities safe," Pak said.

Pak says Sheffield, Bray and Scott are believed to have entered the bank with their faces covered. Two had handguns and one had a semi-automatic rifle, accusers say. The robbers forced employees onto the ground at gunpoint.

See more:

• FBI Releases Video Of Wanted Suspect In Violent Takeover Robbery
• 2 More Arrests In Violent 'Takeover-Style' Bank Robbery: FBI
• Most Money Recovered, FBI Still Searches For At Least 2 Robbers

Woodbury police responded quickly, the DOJ release says, causing the getaway driver, Prather, to drive off before the three could exit the bank through the back. When they did, they ran into the woods on foot.

Bray and Scott were captured by the FBI in a nearby house several hours after the robbery.

A surveillance camera in the backyard of a local residence captured footage of a man with his face covered. Tipsters later identified the man as Sheffield, and the FBI arrested him.

Sheffield, Bray, Scott and Prather are facing charges of armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Bray and Scott are also being charged with possession of a firearm as a felon. Copeland was charged with being an accessory to the robbery.

The FBI is investigating the case.

(For more news like this, sign up for Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Douglasville — or other neighborhoods. Access Patch on the go with our iPhone app or our brand new app for Android phone users.)

Article images via FBI