A former Ohio State football player is now staring down decades in prison after admitting to a shocking bank robbery spree.
Marcus Williamson, 27, a former defensive back for the Buckeyes, pleaded guilty this week to nine counts of robbery after authorities accused him of targeting multiple banks in the Columbus area in 2024.
According to reports, Williamson stole about $22,000 during a string of robberies between March and April of last year. Prosecutors say he would walk into banks, hand tellers a note demanding cash in specific denominations, and leave with the money.
Authorities also said he wore latex gloves during the robberies and, in five of the incidents, claimed or strongly suggested that he had a gun.
The spree finally came to an end on April 24, 2024, when Williamson was arrested after leaving a First Merchants Bank in Columbus. Police, who were already investigating him, reportedly caught him carrying money taken from the bank.
The guilty plea marks a major turn in the case.
Williamson pleaded guilty to five second-degree felony robbery counts and four third-degree felony robbery counts. He had originally been facing a much longer list of charges, including 17 counts of robbery, six felony theft charges, and one misdemeanor theft charge.
Now, he is being held at the Franklin County Jail as he waits for sentencing on June 25.
His punishment could be severe. Reports say Williamson faces anything from probation to more than 40 years in prison.
The downfall is especially stunning given his football background. During his time at Ohio State from 2017 to 2021, Williamson played in 46 games and was part of four Big Ten title-winning teams.
