Seattle, Washington – Two Texas men have pleaded guilty in a sweeping multistate ATM robbery scheme that targeted bank machines and repair technicians across the United States, including multiple incidents in Washington and Oregon, federal authorities confirmed. The crimes spanned several months and involved intimidation, physical assaults, and the theft of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington said the coordinated scheme involved disabling ATMs and ambushing technicians when they arrived to make repairs, often during high-cash periods such as the Christmas holiday season.
Incident Overview
The defendants were identified as Ahmon Hogg, 22, of Humble, Texas, and Seth Coles-Body, 23, of Houston, Texas. Both men pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery and two counts of attempted bank robbery in federal court.
According to prosecutors, the pair carried out ATM-related crimes in Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Mississippi, and Maine, making the case one of the more extensive ATM robbery schemes prosecuted in recent years.
Timeline of Events
December 2024: Holiday ATM Attacks Begin
Court records show the scheme began on December 23 and 24, 2024, when ATMs were heavily stocked with cash ahead of Christmas.
In Renton, Washington, the men disabled a Bank of America ATM and waited for a technician to arrive. When the technician began repairs, Coles-Body brandished a screwdriver, forcibly confronting the worker and demanding access to the cash cassettes. The technician resisted and managed to escape after a brief scuffle.
The following day in Vancouver, Washington, the men again targeted a Bank of America ATM on Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard. This time, they successfully intimidated the technician and stole five cash-filled cassettes before fleeing in a vehicle later linked to the Renton incident.
Authorities said the men also admitted to disabling another ATM in Battle Ground, Washington, on the same day.
Expansion Across States
As investigators pursued leads in Washington, similar ATM tampering incidents surfaced in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 3, 2025. Law enforcement stopped the suspects while they were attempting to rob another disabled ATM, connecting them to the broader scheme.
In March 2025, the pair returned to Washington and struck again in Redmond, stealing cash canisters while a technician was repairing a Bank of America ATM. Although the canisters were later recovered along Highway 520, the damage had already been done.
Days later, Coles-Body was stopped by U.S. Border Patrol and found carrying approximately $209,000 in cash, which was seized by authorities.
Oregon, Maine, and Mississippi Arrest
In June 2025, the men traveled to Oregon, disabling ATMs in Tigard and Hillsboro. During their time there, they also robbed an ATM customer who had just completed a transaction at a separate location.
On June 30, the suspects drove cross-country to South Portland, Maine, where they violently attacked a technician repairing a Bank of America ATM, stealing approximately $47,000 after beating the victim.
Their crime spree ended in Jackson, Mississippi, where both men were arrested during a traffic stop. Authorities recovered stolen firearms and a large amount of cash from the vehicle.
Key Facts of the Case
- Defendants: Ahmon Hogg (22), Seth Coles-Body (23)
- States involved: Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Maine, Mississippi
- Total restitution: $768,900
- Additional damages: Medical expenses for injured technicians
- Potential penalty: Up to 20 years in prison per count
Details from Federal Prosecutors
Federal prosecutors said the plea agreements resolve all related cases across multiple jurisdictions. Sentencing is scheduled for April, with prosecutors recommending a sentence at the high end of federal sentencing guidelines or a minimum of 10 months, whichever is higher.
Safety and Public Awareness
Authorities emphasized that ATM technicians are increasingly becoming targets in organized theft schemes. Banks and law enforcement agencies continue to urge increased security measures and coordination to protect workers responding to repair calls, especially during high-cash periods.
Conclusion
The guilty pleas bring an end to a months-long investigation into a multistate ATM robbery operation that endangered workers and caused significant financial losses. While the stolen funds are still being accounted for, federal officials say the case highlights the growing sophistication of coordinated ATM crimes.
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