A Texas man is now facing federal charges in Utah, accused of attempting to rob a Wells Fargo ATM technician at knifepoint. Jawuan Donte Thomas, 22, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City according to a recent announcement from the Department of Justice. This incident adds to the increasing concerns around ATM-related crimes, which have seen a slight uptick in urban areas.

Thomas, hailing from the Lone Star State, was arrested back on December 17, 2024, after a botched robbery attempt outside a Wells Fargo branch in Draper, Utah. As described by court documents, the strategy was to hit the technician when vulnerable, as he serviced the machine. A lifted license plate led detectives to a Jeep near the crime scene, which was later uncovered not to belong to the suspect vehicle, in a curious twist of crime-gone-awry.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, two masked individuals approached the technician, with Thomas allegedly armed with a screwdriver. While Thomas was apprehended at the scene, the other suspect managed to escape. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah is leading the prosecution, supported by an FBI Task Force Officer from the South Jordan Police Department and the Riverton City Police Department.

Thomas made his initial appearance in court yesterday January 9, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse. United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins, confirmed this during the announcement, signaling the government's stern approach to dealing with violent crimes connected to financial institutions. The case is also a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program initiated to curb gun violence and promote safer communities through collaborative law enforcement efforts.