LOCKPORT – The man who drove the getaway car in the March 8 robbery of the M&T Bank in Lockport pleaded guilty Tuesday in Niagara County Court.
James M. Williams, 31, of Tudor Lane, Lockport, admitted to a reduced charge of attempted third-degree robbery, and he faces up to four years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 27 by Judge Sara Sheldon Farkas.
Deputy District Attorney Doreen M. Hoffmann said she won’t need Williams to testify against alleged holdup man Joseph J. Trusello, because the latter signed a full confession. Trusello, 24, of Memorial Parkway, Niagara Falls, is under indictment on a charge of third-degree robbery and third-degree grand larceny, to which he pleaded not guilty May 2.
Hoffmann said Trusello “set up” Williams to be arrested the day after his own capture by phoning Williams, under police supervision, and setting up a meeting with him at a Falls hotel. Police were there waiting when Williams showed up.
Farkas ordered Williams to repay the bank up to $2,500 as his share of the loot. Hoffmann said not all the stolen money was recovered.
James M. Williams, 31, of Tudor Lane, Lockport, admitted to a reduced charge of attempted third-degree robbery, and he faces up to four years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 27 by Judge Sara Sheldon Farkas.
Deputy District Attorney Doreen M. Hoffmann said she won’t need Williams to testify against alleged holdup man Joseph J. Trusello, because the latter signed a full confession. Trusello, 24, of Memorial Parkway, Niagara Falls, is under indictment on a charge of third-degree robbery and third-degree grand larceny, to which he pleaded not guilty May 2.
Hoffmann said Trusello “set up” Williams to be arrested the day after his own capture by phoning Williams, under police supervision, and setting up a meeting with him at a Falls hotel. Police were there waiting when Williams showed up.
Farkas ordered Williams to repay the bank up to $2,500 as his share of the loot. Hoffmann said not all the stolen money was recovered.