Marcus Williamson avoided prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to nine bank robberies in Franklin County. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Sheryl Munson reserved a prison term of 19 to 21 1/2 years and sent him into a treatment-based sentence instead.
He must complete the court's mental health program, the RISE program, and four years of community control to keep that prison term from taking effect. He also has to stay on house arrest with GPS monitoring, remain away from financial institutions, and commit no new offenses.
Franklin County Common Pleas Court
Williamson told the court, "I have struggled with schizoaffective disorder" and said he was taking responsibility for "failing to manage my mental illness." Those statements became part of the record as Munson chose supervision and treatment over immediate incarceration.
Prosecutors asked for prison. They said Williamson should be sent to prison and argued that he either claimed or implied he had a gun during several of the robberies.
Ohio State
Williamson, a former Ohio State defensive back, played from 2017 through 2021. He helped Ohio State win four consecutive Big Ten championships and make two College Football Playoff appearances, and he graduated with a degree in history.
The sentence leaves the prison term hanging over the case rather than executing it now. If Williamson finishes the treatment and community-control requirements, he avoids prison; if he does not, the reserved term can take effect.
