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Article: 12-Year Term for 'Cell Phone' Bank Robber; Judge Also Hands Apologetic 19-Year-Old a Scolding
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- February 25, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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U.S. District Judge Gerald Bruce Lee has sentenced countless
convicted felons, and plenty of bank robbers, in his 14 years as a
judge. He has heard many excuses, numerous justifications and
hundreds of pleas for leniency.
And so yesterday, the federal judge stared down at 19-year-old
Dave C. Williams, the lanky Fairfax County man who admitted that he
and his girlfriend robbed four banks last fall, holdups that were
attributed to the "cell phone bandit." Before Williams could speak,
the judge stopped him.
"Turn around," Lee told the trembling teenager. "Look at your
family." The courtroom was packed with relatives and friends. "We
want to know why you're here. We want to know what you were ...