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Press Release

Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Bank Robbery Charge

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Christian Tafolla, 26, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to robbing an Albuquerque-area Wells Fargo Bank branch on March 18, 2016.

Tafolla was arrested on March 21, 2016, and charged by criminal complaint with robbing the Wells Fargo Bank located at 8100 Wyoming Blvd. in Albuquerque, on March 18, 2016.  The complaint alleged that Tafolla robbed the bank by handing the bank teller a note demanding money.  Tafolla was arrested later that day after Albuquerque Police Department officers observed Tafolla entering a store near the Wells Fargo Bank.

Tafolla subsequently was indicted on April 12, 2016.  During today’s proceedings, Tafolla pled guilty to the indictment and admitted robbing the bank on March 18, 2016.

At sentencing, Tafolla faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  Tafolla remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han is prosecuting the case.

Updated July 20, 2016