HONOLULU — A Lihue bank robbery suspect has pleaded guilty . David Verden Williams, Jr., 35, of Sacramento, Calif., has pleaded guilty to the first-degree bank robbery of the American Savings Bank in Lihue on Sept. 7, 2011. He changed
HONOLULU — A Lihue bank robbery suspect has pleaded guilty .
David Verden Williams, Jr., 35, of Sacramento, Calif., has pleaded guilty to the first-degree bank robbery of the American Savings Bank in Lihue on Sept. 7, 2011. He changed his plea on March 20, and is scheduled for sentencing before Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway on July 8.
The court could sentence Williams up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The prosecution agreed to a one-level reduction in what it would ask at sentencing and he must also complete a term of supervised release of up to five years after prison.
A mandatory condition of the plea deal is for restitution of $1,833.87. It is said to be the amount that was not recovered from what was taken during the robbery of American Savings Bank.
The crime was detailed in the plea deal, and said Williams handed a note to the bank teller which read, “I have explosives strapped to me and a gun, empty the drawer now or I will kill you.” The teller handed Williams $17,397, which included $400 in marked currency, two $100 bills, two $50 bills and five $20 bills.
Williams was a fugitive for a day and checked into the St. Regis the night of the robbery with $1,000 in cash after his debit card was declined. He was apprehended without incident on Sept. 8, 2011 by Kauai police officers in Princeville.
After initially appearing on his own behalf at the change of plea hearing, Williams agreed to be represented by Federal Public Defender Shanlyn Park, who was appointed after the Court granted Williams’ request for outside legal counsel earlier this year after Williams changed his mind twice about representing himself.
According to court information, Park informed the court that the defendant refused to see him leading up to the plea hearing.
Williams stated that he was not dissatisfied with his counsel and wanted to plead guilty and represent himself. He then stated that he would like counsel to represent him.
After a recess, the court allowed Williams to confer with his Park, who then informed the court that Williams wanted to proceed with the plea agreement.
Williams then signed the plea agreement as “Pope Benedict” and wrote “Dave” under the signature.
The court informed Williams that he must sign his legal signature for the plea agreement to become valid. Williams then re-signed the plea agreement with his own signature.
The federal government is represented by William Shipley from the Office of the United States Attorney.
Williams remains in custody of the United States Marshall Service. He is being held at a federal detention facility on Oahu.
