Bank Robber with 14 Prior Felony Convictions Sentenced to Prison

DETROIT – An Inkster resident with 14 prior felony convictions was sentenced to 86 months in prison for bank robbery in federal court this afternoon in Detroit on charges stemming from his robbery of the Dearborn Federal Savings Bank, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.  This defendant had been apprehended by police after fleeing the bank and hiding out in a port-a-potty.

Joining United States Attorney Dawn Ison in the announcement was Special Agent in Charge James A. Tarasca, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division and Issa Shahin, Chief, Dearborn Police Department.

Charles William Woolery, age 52, was sentenced to 86 months by U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith.

According to court records, on the afternoon of March 2, 2022, Woolery entered the Dearborn Federal Savings Bank wearing a black facemask.  He approached a victim teller, handed her a note, and gestured to his hip as if he had a weapon.   The note demanded the teller to “smile” and put money in a bag or Woolery would “kill everyone.”  The teller, fearing for her safety, placed $1,690 in cash in a black bag and handed it to Woolery.  Woolery then fled the bank on foot.  He was later arrested by Dearborn police officers hiding out in a port-a-potty located in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn on Michigan Avenue near the bank.  Officers found the $1,690 cash in the front pocket? of a Detroit Lions’ hoodie that Woolery was wearing. Officers also recovered Woolery’s facemask and paper like that of the robbery note in the port-a-potty where Woolery was hiding.

“Today’s sentence appropriately takes this defendant’s long criminal history into account,” stated U.S. Attorney Ison.  “Our office stands ready to prosecute individuals who use violence or threats of violence to threaten our community.”

“Criminals who use threats of violence during robberies and other crimes create a level of fear and risk to life that are unacceptable,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Division. “This case is an example of the FBI’s commitment to working collaborative with our law enforcement partners to combat violent crime across Southeast Michigan. I commend the Dearborn Police Department for quickly apprehending this defendant and thank them for their continued partnership.”

“The Dearborn Police Department would like to thank the FBI and US Attorney’s Office for the continued partnership in working to keep dangerous criminals off the streets of Southeast Michigan,” said Chief of Police Issa Shahin.  “The Dearborn Police Department will continue to use all of our available resources to keep our residents safe.”

This case is being investigated by special agents of the FBI along with the assistance of the Dearborn Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rosemary Gardey is prosecuting the case.