Dunwoody, Decatur Bank Robbers Sentenced to Federal Prison

Torrey Marable and two codefendants, Rico Blackwell and Jason Blackwell, were sentenced today to federal prison for armed bank robbery. 

“These men terrorized bank employees when they entered the banks they robbed with guns drawn,” said U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.  “Serious violent crimes should be met with serious prison sentences, such as those imposed in this case, to protect our communities.”       

Beginning on Aug. 9, 2012, and continuing until his arrest on Sept. 5, 2012, Marable robbed banks located in Atlanta, Dunwoody, and Marietta.

Deandre Markee King and Blackwell joined Marable in the Dunwoody robbery, during which all three men brandished their guns and used them to move the tellers into the vault and force them to hand over more than $71,000.  

On Sept. 4, 2012, Marable and King canvassed another bank in Austell, Ga., forming their plan to rob the bank. 

The next day, Blackwell drove Marable, King and his half-brother Rico Blackwell, near a PNC Bank in Austell.  At the same time, law enforcement was on the lookout for a car matching the description of the one Jason Blackwell was driving.  They were also looking for a man with dreadlocks, which was the style of Marable’s hair. 

Before the robbery occurred, Austell police pulled the car Jason Blackwell was driving over, finding Marable, King and Rico Blackwell all with semi-automatic handguns within their reach.  Police also found two surgical masks, two bandanas and latex gloves in the car.    

Marable, 21, of Decatur, was sentenced by United States District Judge Evans to 27 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.  Marable was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $89,644. 

Blackwell, 22, also of Decatur, received 138 months in prison and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $71,668; and Jason Blackwell, 32, of Decatur, received 84 months in prison. 

King, 28, of Decatur will be sentenced on Aug. 28, 2013.