United States Attorney Johnny Sutton announced today that United States District Judge Frank Montalvo sentenced thirty-five old Miguel Angel Garcia to 110 months in federal prison on federal bank robbery charges. The defendant pled guilty to the federal charges on August 21, 2007.

On April 24, 2007, Garcia entered a Well Fargo Bank in El Paso and handed the teller a note demanding $4,000 in cash. While Garcia was at the teller’s window he shifted an object in his waistband which the teller believed to be a weapon. The teller explained that she was not at her window and thus did not have any cash and even showed the defendant that her teller drawer was empty. The defendant thereafter left the bank cursing the teller. Less than 30 minutes later, Garcia entered the First Light Federal Credit Union, also in El Paso and handed a teller a note demanding $4,000. The teller handed over $2,620.00 to Garcia whereupon he left the credit union.

Later that evening, local television stations aired the surveillance video from the two financial institutions whereupon someone called Crime Stoppers and identified the assailant as Miguel Angel Garcia. After the El Paso Police Department arrested Garcia he confessed to the two robberies.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the El Paso Police Department and is being prosecuted for the government by Assistant United States Attorney Brandy Gardes.

 

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