19 Years in Prison for Man Involved in String of Credit Union Robberies

Adrian Applewhite is appealing his 19-year federal prison sentence for his role in a string of armed robberies of credit unions in upstate New York.

Applewhite, who was sentenced on Aug. 30 by U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara in Buffalo, was one of six men who robbed more than $550,000 from three credit union branches in 2019 and attempted to rob one credit union branch in 2017. Applewhite also was ordered to pay $439,293 in restitution.

Applewhite, 37, was on probation for robbing a credit union in Amherst, N.Y., in 2007 while he was involved in the 2019 robberies, according to court documents. The notice of appeal filed by Applewhite’s attorneys indicated they are appealing his prison sentence with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City.

Although four other men involved in these credit union robberies were also sentenced to lengthy prison sentences in 2023, Applewhite received the most time behind bars, according to federal prosecutors.

In July 2019, two co-defendants, Myron McCollum and Ronald Morris, entered the $18.6 million South Towns Community Federal Credit Union on South Park Avenue in Lackawanna while Applewhite, the getaway driver, sat in a car nearby. McCollum and Morris hit the credit union tellers with pepper spray and stole $290,500 from an unlocked safe, according to prosecutors.

Morris also was involved in the robbery of the $45.4 million Tonawanda Community Federal Credit Union on Delaware Street in Tonawanda and stole $111,992 in February.

In November, McCollum and Morris, armed with a pistol and donning masks and gloves, entered the $44.4 million North Towns Federal Credit Union on Sheridan Drive in Clarence and stole $148,793. Applewhite was the getaway driver.

On Oct. 26, 2017, Applewhite and two other associates Anthony Wilson and Khalil Holland attempted to rob the $22.2 million Lake Shore Federal Credit Union on Erie Road in Evans. Applewhite planned the robbery and provided instructions and a firearm to a co-defendant to assist in the robbery, prosecutors said. When Holland approached a credit union teller the alarm was activated, and he fled on foot without stealing any money. Although Holland allegedly entered the credit union wearing a medical mask and demanded money while brandishing a firearm, federal prosecutors did not explain why Holland was not charged with any crimes.

Federal prosecutors also said Applewhite, Morris and McCollum were planning to rob at least three other credit unions in upstate New York and other unnamed financial institutions in Rochester and Bradford, Pa. Prosecutors did not say why these criminals seemed to exclusively target credit unions.

Wilson was convicted of aggravated bank robbery and was sentenced to six years in prison in May 2023. He was ordered to pay $148,793 in restitution.

McCollum was convicted of aggravated bank robbery, sentenced to 14 years in prison in June 2023 and was ordered to pay $439,293 in restitution.

In August 2023, Morris was convicted of aggravated bank robbery, attempted bank robbery and using a firearm during a crime of violence. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison. He also was ordered to pay $551,286 in restitution.

And in January 2023, Anthony Wilson, who was convicted of aggravated bank robbery and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison.