A Houston man dubbed the “Big Shades Bandit” has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for a series of bank robberies in 2022.
Malik Johnson, 23, was sentenced to a total of 20 years and six months in a federal prison for organizing three armed bank robberies in the greater Houston area. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein.
In two separate robberies in June and September 2022, Johnson entered banks in Houston and handed tellers notes demanding money, brandishing a black handgun and threatening to harm them if they did not cooperate. In both cases, he left the bank after taking the money and left the notes behind.
That same year, on October 12, Johnson approached a teller at another bank and repeated his threatening letter tactic. This time, however, the teller froze and did not immediately obey, prompting Johnson to present a semi-automatic pistol. The teller eventually gave him cash, but this time he demanded more cash from another teller at the same bank. After robbing both employees, Johnson left the bank.
During his extended stay at the scene of the October 12 robbery, witnesses observed Johnson wearing a black Chicago White Sox baseball cap with the word “Leek” embroidered on the side.
After the third robbery, law enforcement received information linking Johnson to the crimes. Not only did Johnson bear a strong resemblance to the suspect, but he also owned a car that matched the vehicle captured on bank surveillance footage.
As if this evidence wasn’t convincing enough, investigators also found his personal Instagram account, which was linked to the name “Leek.”
Johnson pleaded guilty to the crimes on February 23, 2024.
In sentencing, the court found that Johnson’s actions were consistent with those of a serial bank robber.
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