Bank Robber sent to Prison

On Thursday, Aug. 9, in the Court of General Sessions in Anderson County, the Honorable Cordell Maddox, Jr. sentenced John David Cowans, Jr., to 17 years provided upon the service of 11 years, with the balance suspended to 5 years’ probation for entering a bank with intent to steal, more commonly known as bank robbery. On Jan. 10, 2018, Cowans entered the TD Bank at 2808 S. Main Street in Anderson where he told the cashier he was robbing the bank and demanded bills in $100 denominations. Although it was later discovered that the defendant was unarmed, he got away with $1,600 in cash. The entire incident was captured on video surveillance, and Cowans later confessed after turning himself in to the authorities. “The Tenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office has secured multiple convictions this week in both Anderson and Oconee Counties for armed robberies and attempted armed robberies, but bank robbery is covered under its own separate statute under South Carolina Law”, said Solicitor David Wagner following Mr. Cowans’ sentencing. “Sentences like this one will act as deterrents, which will protect the business owners, banks, and citizens of Anderson and Oconee counties.”