Columbia, South Carolina — United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Ryan Newell, 31, and Cory Woods, 29, both of Columbia, were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in armed bank robberies. Newell was sentenced to over 24 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to three armed bank robberies and corresponding firearm offenses. Woods was sentenced to over nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to single armed bank robbery and firearm offenses.
Evidence presented to the Court showed both Newell and Woods were responsible for three armed takeovers and robberies of banks located in the Midlands of South Carolina. On January 24, 2018, Woods and Newell stole over $33,000 from a First Citizens bank in Columbia. The second robbery occurred at a TD Bank in Irmo on February 24, 2018, where Newell and Woods stole over $17,000. The final robbery occurred on March 5, 2018, at a Wells Fargo in Chapin. In the final robbery, Newell and Woods stole over $28,000, then left the bank and took law enforcement on a high speed chase down I-26. Ultimately, Newell and Woods crashed into the median and were arrested.
Senior United States District Judge Terry L. Wooten of Columbia sentenced Ryan Newell to 298 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision. Judge Wooten sentenced Cory Woods to 108 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the Chapin Police Department, the Irmo Police Department, and the Columbia Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney William Camden Lewis of the Columbia office prosecuted the case.
