United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

SERIAL BANK ROBBER SENTENCED TO 12 ½ YEARS
IN FEDERAL PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE

DALLAS — A Dallas man, Mario Flores Garfias, Jr., who admitted robbing three banks and one credit union in Dallas during a two-week period last fall, was sentenced this morning by U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn to 150 months (12 ½ years) in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper. Judge Lynn also ordered Garfias, 29, to pay $11,283 in restitution.

Garfias admitted robbing the following:

• September 13, 2007 Compass Bank
1824 Abrams Road, Dallas

• September 17, 2007 Guaranty Bank
1134 Buckner Boulevard, Dallas

• September 26, 2007 Resource One Credit Union
7518 Ferguson Road, Dallas

• October 1, 2007 Wachovia Bank
10600 Forest Lane, Dallas

During the robberies, Garfias would generally hand a demand note to a teller and on some occasions, lifted his shirt to expose a pistol-shaped object. During the October 1, 2007, robbery, Garfias displayed what appeared to be a silver and black pistol, but was, in fact, an airgun. He handed a demand note to a teller and stated he would shoot people if his demands were not met. The teller informed Garfias that her teller drawer was located near the drive-thru window and as she began walking toward the drive-thru, Garfias jumped over the teller counter and ordered another teller to give him all of the money from her teller drawer. The tellers gave Garfias bank money which included tracking devices. Garfias then jumped back over the teller counter and ordered everyone to stay where they were or he would start shooting.

Garfias fled the bank, but was tracked to a residence on Military Parkway in Dallas by Dallas Police Officers. He barricaded himself in the residence, but was apprehended by Dallas Police Department SWAT officers.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the Dallas Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim McCabe prosecuted the case.

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