4 MEN CHARGED FOR 5 ARMED ROBBERIES IN AUGUSTA AREA

The federal grand jury sitting in Savannah, Georgia has returned an indictment against Andrew Cornelius Walker, 32, of Augusta, Georgia, Devon Mitchell Saxton, 26, of Augusta, Georgia, Oscar M. Bwanali, 26, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Joey Leon Greene, Jr., 28, of Charlotte, North Carolina, charging them for the armed robberies of four businesses in Augusta, Georgia, as well as two robberies of armored cars in Columbia County, Georgia and Atlanta, Georgia. Walker, Saxton, and Bwanali are also charged with brandishing firearms during these robberies.

The indictment charges that the defendants conspired to commit armed robberies at the following locations:

• Chili’s Restaurant at 273 Robert C. Daniel Parkway, Augusta, Georgia on August 1, 2009;

• Check Exchange at 3215 Wrightsboro Road, Augusta, Georgia on September 3, 2009;

• Columbia Check Cashing at 5226 Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown, Georgia on December 9, 2009;

• Ruby Tuesdays Restaurant at 499 Bobby Jones Expressway, Augusta, Georgia on February 1, 2010;

• Garda Cash Logistics armored car in Atlanta, Georgia on September 14, 2010; and,

• Loomis armored car in Columbia County, Georgia on August 9, 2011.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stated, “The crimes alleged in this indictment are hideous acts of violence committed against the entire community. This scourge cannot be allowed in today’s society.

When individuals commit outrageous acts that put the safety of others at risk, they must be prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law allows. The United States Attorney’s Office has no higher priority than protecting the American people.”

The conspiracies charged in the indictment, as well as each robbery, carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. For the firearms charges, Walker, Saxton, and Bwanali face a minimum of 7 years of incarceration for the first conviction (consecutive to any other sentence imposed) and then a minimum of 25 years of incarceration for each additional conviction on a firearms charge.

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver stressed that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Tarver praised the joint efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office which led to the indictment. The government is represented in this case by Assistant United States Attorney Patricia G. Rhodes.