Bank Robber Who Fired Gun Found Guilty, Faces Life For 3 Robberies

AURORA, IL — A Bartlett man was found guilty of robbing three suburban banks using an AK-47-style firearm in May 2018, officials said.

James D. Williams, 46, was convicted of three counts of bank robbery, three counts of using a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and conspiracy to transfer a firearm to a felon.

Between May 11 and 31, 2018, Williams, along with 25-year-old Bartlett resident Alexis T. Handelman, robbed three banks. In 10-day intervals, they hit Second National Bank in Ottawa, Norstates Bank in Gurnee, and Aurora Bank and Trust, according to prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Illinois.

The pair wore disguises during each robbery and drove cars that were either borrowed or rented.

Ahead of the first robbery on May 11, Williams and his wife, Jessica Sweeney Williams, obtained an AK-47-style firearm, which he used at all three banks. A day after the second robbery on May 21, Sweeney Williams purchased a handgun, which her husband used, along with a rifle, in the third robbery.

Officials said he discharged one of the firearms during the third robbery, but did not cause any injuries.

Williams faces a sentence of at least 24 years, up to life, in federal prison, officials said. His next court date for sentencing has not yet been set.

Handelman pleaded guilty to committing the bank robberies and is awaiting sentencing, officials said, and Sweeney Williams pleaded guilty to providing a firearm to Williams and was sentenced to 24 months in prison.