Ohio resident pleads guilty to three armed bank robberies

OHIO — A central Ohio man has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to federal charges stemming from three separate armed bank robberies in Columbus.

Hussein A. Mohamed, 27, of Dublin, admitted to committing the robberies in April 2024.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of bank robbery, three counts of conspiring to commit bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to court documents, Mohamed carried out the robberies over the span of a week in April.

On April 11, he robbed the Telhio Credit Union on North Hamilton Road, wearing a dark Patagonia sweatshirt, ripped jeans, a white COVID mask, and a black winter hat. He showed the teller a note on his cell phone demanding cash and indicating he had a gun.

Five days later, on April 16, Mohamed committed two armed robberies within a short timeframe.

The first occurred around 4 p.m. at a Fifth Third Bank on Bethel Road, where he wore a red sweatshirt, light jeans, a blue COVID mask, and black New Balance shoes. He again showed a note on his phone, threatening violence.

Shortly after, Mohamed robbed Huntington Bank on North High Street, changing clothes between the two incidents.

During this robbery, he threatened tellers with a firearm and forced them into the vault room after brandishing a black handgun.

In each robbery, Mohamed was accompanied by an individual who helped drive him to and from the locations.

Law enforcement later recovered Mohamed’s clothing from the robberies, a loaded handgun, and his wallet with identification at an apartment in Columbus.

Mohamed was arrested in May 2024. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the bank robbery charges, with additional penalties for conspiring to commit the crimes and brandishing a firearm. Sentencing will take place at a future hearing.

Kelly A. Norris, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Elena Iatarola, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Cincinnati Division, announced the plea. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Damoun Delaviz and Elizabeth A. Geraghty.