A Houston resident, Cody Williams, was sentenced on April 15 to five years in federal prison for his role in a series of violent ATM thefts across Texas and Arizona, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Williams, age 27, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank theft and received a sentence of 60 months from U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan. He was also ordered to pay $71,639 in restitution.
Court documents show that between June 2020 and June 2024, Williams participated in what authorities called “Hook and Chain” burglaries. The scheme involved stealing trucks, attaching hooks and chains to the vehicles, and forcibly removing ATM doors to access cash inside the machines. One of the targeted locations included Texas Bank on South Preston Road in Prosper. The conspiracy led to losses exceeding $400,000 as well as significant property damage.
U.S. Attorney Combs said this case is part of Operation Take Back America: “a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” The investigation was conducted by the FBI along with Fort Worth Police Department and Pottsboro Police Department; prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Johnson.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas supports victims through dedicated services according to its official website. The office covers 43 counties with locations in Beaumont, Lufkin, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana and Tyler according to its official website. It operates as part of the United States Department of Justice according to its official website with about 100 staff members including roughly 50 assistant U.S. attorneys according to its official website. Its responsibilities include prosecuting federal crimes such as those committed by Williams while delivering civil litigation services across East Texas according to its official website.
With broad jurisdiction over East Texas communities affected by federal crimes like those described in this case—and ongoing initiatives aimed at public safety—the office continues collaborative efforts with local agencies as detailed on its official site.
