Dee DeQuattro
ddequattro@abc6.com
The so-called "bearded bandit" appeared in federal court on Thursday and this time his beard was real. 34-year-old Justin Worley has grown out his beard since he has been held with out bail on charges of robbing eight Rhode Island banks and one Massachusetts bank.
Thursday morning he pleaded guilty to the robbery charges in federal court.
Worley robbed the series of banks between February and September 2012 before he was busted by police at a Motel 6 in Seekonk, Mass.
Worley admitted to the court that he made off with over $30,000 of cash from the banks but refused to admit to making threats of violence to tellers.
At least two witnesses said Worley threatened them while robbing the banks. They say he told them, "I will kill you and your family."
While in prsion, the beard is not the only thing new for Worley. He told the court he has been seeing a psychiatrist since he has been in jail and he is currently on mood stabilizing medication and medication to treat anxiety related to post traumatic stress disorder. He also said he has been having nightmares.
Worley was formerly in the National Guard in Texas where he worked as a mechanic.
