Rivers’ defense attorney, Lucas Wilder, said his client has indicated he wants to appeal his sentence.
“He acknowledged his wrongdoing, as well as his history of prior criminal convictions and incarceration, and was hopeful he would receive a sentence of around 10 years,” Wilder said. “...Since he is 65 years old and has health issues the mandatory sentence he received will likely mean he will die in prison.”
On March 18, 2021, Rivers reportedly robbed a U.S. Bank in Fairborn. He had a note demanding money and indicating he had a gun, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The next day, he repeated the process at a U.S. Bank in Beavercreek.
A few days later, Rivers was arrested outside a Miami Twp. U.S. Bank following collaboration between Beavercreek, Fairborn, Kettering and Miami Twp. police.
“Rivers has a number of prior violent felony convictions, including robbery and burglary,” said Greene County Prosecutor David D. Hayes. “He has been sentenced to prison on nine prior occasions. Due to the collaborative efforts from multiple police jurisdictions, a dangerous violent felon is off the streets and behind bars.”
Wilder noted Rivers did not harm anyone during the incidents.
“Mr. Rivers did not have a weapon on his person during these robberies, he did not threaten or inflict harm on anyone, and he stole a grand total of $8,000 from the three banks,” he said.
We have reached out to the defense for a comment and will update this story once a response is received.
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