Source: United States Department of Justice News
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Dameon LaShawn Nix, 32, of Sylacauga, was convicted after a jury trial of attempted robbery and of using a firearm during a crime of violence announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp, Jr.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that on May 28, 2019, Nix entered the Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union in Sylacauga and shot a pistol three times into the ceiling. Twenty minutes after fleeing the credit union, Nix was caught by two Sylacauga police officers while attempting to escape through nearby woods. He was in possession of $195 belonging to a customer at the credit union and a gun holster. The firearm was never found. Nix had taken the cash from the customer when the tellers were unable to open their cash drawers. A delivery driver observed Nix donning a mask as he entered the credit union, and later picked him out of a lineup. Experts from the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, identified Nix’s DNA on clothing he had discarded in the woods as he fled the bank. The clothes bearing Nix’s DNA matched the clothing worn by the robber as revealed by the credit union’s surveillance cameras.
Nix faces imprisonment of approximately 40-50 months on the attempted credit union robbery and a 10-year consecutive term of imprisonment for discharging the firearm during the attempted robbery.
“The FBI is committed to working with our state, local and federal partners to combat violent crime and bring individuals like Nix to justice,” said FBI SAC Johnnie Sharp. “I particularly want to express my appreciation to our partners with the Sylacauga Police Department for their outstanding work and assistance in this case.”
“We are grateful for the work of the Sylacauga Police Department in apprehending this offender,” said U.S. Attorney Escalona. “As this case confirms, working closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners is the best way to combat violent crime and remove violent offenders from our communities.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated. Assistant United States Attorneys John Camp and Bill Simpson prosecuted the case.