“Big Shades Bandit” receives lengthy prison term

HOUSTON - A 23-year-old Houston resident has been sentenced for committing numerous gunpoint robberies of Houston banks, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Malik Johnson pleaded guilty Feb. 23.

U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein has now ordered Johnson to serve 78 months in federal prison for the robberies and 168 months for brandishing of a firearm which will run consecutive for a total prison sentence of 246 months. Johnson must also serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment. In handing down the sentence, the court noted Johnson's conduct was not an aberration but instead violent conduct one after another by a serial bank robber.

On June 29, and Sept. 6, 2022, Johnson entered First Convenience Bank on Mykawa Road and First National Bank on 43^rd St., respectively. In each instance, he displayed a black pistol, handed the tellers a note demanding money and to do so in seconds. He threated harm if they did not comply. Once he received the money, he exited the bank, leaving behind the notes.

The on Oct. 12, 2022, Johnson approached a teller at the Woodforest National Bank on Rice Ave. and once again handed her a similar threatening note. During this robbery, the teller froze, prompting Johnson to display a semi-automatic pistol. The teller eventually gave him cash from the drawer, but Johnson began to demand more money from the neighboring teller. After receiving additional cash, he left the bank. During the robbery, Johnson wore a black Chicago White Sox baseball cap with the nae "Leek" printed on the side.

Law enforcement received information that the bank robber, who was dubbed the "Big Shades Bandit," was Johnson. His Instagram account also indicated a connection to the name "leek." Authorities believed Johnson strongly resembled the suspect in the bank robberies. Johnson also had a registered vehicle matching the vehicle seen in surveillance videos at the banks.

Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Johnson's residence and found the clothing worn during the robberies and a semi-automatic pistol.

Johnson later admitted to all the bank robberies and using the semi-automatic pistol.

At the time of his arrest, Johnson wore the black Chicago White Sox hat with "Leek" embroidered on the side.

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The FBI conducted the investigation with the assistance of Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Stotts prosecuted the case.