Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

‘Freedom Fighter Bandit’ indicted on Gwinnett robbery charge

Nilsa Urena
Nilsa Urena
By Amanda C. Coyne
Aug 24, 2018

Nilsa Marie Urena, an accused serial bank robber known as the “Freedom Fighter Bandit,” has been indicted on one charge of robbery by intimidation in Gwinnett County.

Urena, 25, was arrested in February after allegedly robbing a credit union near Nashville, Tennessee, according to the FBI. She has been charged with nine robberies in the metro Atlanta area.

READ | Gwinnett business owner shoots at suspects during burglary

In the Gwinnett case, Urena and Devon Marshon Morris are accused of threatening a teller at Georgia's Own Credit Union in Loganville that Urena "had a bomb inside her." Urena used a similar strategy at banks in Paulding, Douglas and DeKalb counties, according to police.

Morris was also indicted on the robbery by intimidation charge.

Urena was nicknamed the “Freedom Fighter Bandit” because during robberies she would allegedly say she was stealing the money “for a cause.”

Like Gwinnett County News on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and Instagram

Stay up to the minute with breaking news on Channel 2 Action News This Morning

Georgia native Hamby has been superintendent since 2006. Buford city schools in Gwinnett County integrated in 1969.

About the Author

Amanda Coyne is a hyperlocal reporter for the AJC, covering Gwinnett County.

Follow Amanda C. Coyne on facebookFollow Amanda C. Coyne on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

People line up outside the federal building in Atlanta that houses an immigration court and ICE office. Several cases in the court are at the center of a disciplinary proceeding against Norcross immigration lawyer Christopher Taylor. (Ben Hendren/AJC 2025)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Justices skeptical of Atlanta lawyer’s disbarment defense

Norcross immigration lawyer Christopher Taylor is asking the Georgia Supreme Court not to disbar him for allegedly abandoning six clients.

Arrest made in theft of unreleased Beyoncé music during Atlanta tour stop

Kelvin Evans, who has an extensive criminal history in Fulton County over the past two decades, was arrested in Hapeville following an investigation, authorities said.

Ex-DeKalb officer reindicted in 2022 shooting death in prosecutor’s redo

The DeKalb DA’s office reindicted ex-officer Russell Mathis in a fatal 2022 shooting after dismissing earlier charges to avoid a legal technicality.

The Latest

Marando Salmon, 37, was shot and killed by DeKalb County police on Nov. 4, 2022. (Courtesy of DeKalb County District Attorney's Office)

Credit: Provided by DeKalb County District Attorney's Office

Ex-DeKalb officer reindicted in 2022 shooting death in prosecutor’s redo

Justices skeptical of Atlanta lawyer’s disbarment defense

Lawsuit: College Park councilman pushed employee to carry out ‘vendettas’

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT

Fani Willis loses last chance to stay at the helm of Trump Georgia election interference case

Georgia's top court declines to hear Fani Willis appeal in Trump case, meaning she can no longer pursue the election interference case.

Investigator: Ex-APD officer raped woman on duty, returned when she called 911

Fulton County Magistrate Judge Todd Ashley ruled there was enough evidence for the case to proceed against former officer Muhammad Muhammad.

Cobb County agency green lights tax break for Home Depot’s $140M project

The Development Authority of Cobb County voted 6-0 to give initial approval for Home Depot's request Tuesday but didn't disclose the property tax savings the company sought.