United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

BANK ROBBERS PLEAD GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT

Each Faces Up to 20 Years in Federal Prison

LUBBOCK, Texas — Two Abilene, Texas, men, Fernando Landeros, Jr. and Frank Lopez Leija, have each pled guilty in federal court to one count of bank robbery, admitting they robbed the State National Bank in Abilene in January, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper of the Northern District of Texas. Leija, 49, entered his guilty plea today before U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings in federal court in Lubbock. Landeros, 38, pled guilty last week. Each faces a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings ordered a pre-sentence investigation with sentencing to be scheduled after that investigation is completed.

According to documents filed in Court, on January 30, Landeros entered State National Bank, 6301 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses. With the hood pulled over his head, Landeros approached one of the tellers and placed a brown paper bag and a note on the counter. Landeros then told the teller that she had two minutes to give him the money, “and hurry.”

Landeros then grabbed the brown paper bag with the money from the teller and fled in a silver Ford Focus driven by co-defendant Leija. Abilene Police officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, during which Landeros fled and Leija surrendered with a bundle of bank money in his hand. Landeros was later arrested at his girlfriend’s residence.

Landeros also admitted committing multiple robberies in and around the Abilene area at local restaurants and convenience stores.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Abilene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody L. Skipper is prosecuting the case.

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