Joshua Lewis, 37, of Newark, Delaware, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after robbing two banks and possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. The sentencing was delivered by Judge Gregory B. Williams in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
Court documents indicate that Lewis robbed banks in Wilmington and Dover in February 2023, taking more than $6,000 during both incidents. When law enforcement approached him at his residence, he attempted to flee but was apprehended. Authorities found a loaded ghost gun—an unserialized privately manufactured firearm—and additional 9mm ammunition in his vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Julianne E. Murray said, “Mr. Lewis’s brazen robberies instilled fear in his victims and served only to undermine the security of our financial system. His possession of ammunition within an untraceable gun—despite multiple prior felony convictions—only added to the danger he posed to society. This sentence reinforces the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protecting the public and keeping guns out of the hands of people who fail to follow the law.”
Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson commented on Lewis’s criminal record and law enforcement collaboration: “Considering this offender’s felony criminal history, he should have never been in the position to start robbing banks. But that is a discussion for another day. Bottom line – this is another example of great collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement partners working together to stop dangerous people from posing a threat to innocent people. Rock solid investigative work that is buoyed by Federal prosecution almost always leads to the best long-term results for public safety. Hats off to everyone involved in the case.”
Colonel William D. Crotty, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, noted ongoing cooperation among agencies: “The Delaware State Police is grateful for the strong partnership with the Dover Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in bringing this case to a successful conclusion… Working with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate and arrest individuals who compromise public safety and victimize Delawareans.”
FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno highlighted how bank employees were affected: “Multiple bank employees, who were simply doing their jobs, must now deal with the pain and trauma inflicted on them by Joshua Lewis… May this sentence be a reminder that the FBI and our law enforcement partners will do all we can to protect the safety and security of our communities while holding violent offenders accountable.”
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including Delaware State Police Troop 2 Robbery Unit, Dover Police Department, and FBI’s Delaware Violent Crime and Safe Streets Task Force.
Further information about this case can be found on websites for both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware and the District Court for the District of Delaware. Additional records are also available through PACER using Case No. 1:24-cr-13-GBW.
