Denver Woman Sentenced To Federal Prison For Six Bank Robberies

DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Jenifer Adriana Lopez-Ramirez, age 22, of Denver, Colorado, was sentenced to serve 228 months (19 years) in federal prison for six bank robberies and use of a firearm during and in relation to crimes of violence.  Following her prison term, Lopez-Ramirez will serve 3 years on supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay restitution to the U.S. government as the banks were federally insured.  Lopez-Ramirez appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody, and was remanded at its conclusion.  The Denver office of the FBI joined in today’s announcement.

According to the stipulated facts contained in her plea agreement, on May 3, 2019, Lopez-Ramirez walked into the First Citizens Bank, located at 9848 Zenith Meridian Drive in Englewood, Colorado.  She handed the teller a note demanding money, which she received.

Approximately an hour and a half later, also on May 3, 2019, Lopez-Ramirez robbed the UMB Bank, located at 8190 South University Boulevard in Centennial, Colorado.  She walked into the bank and approached the teller.  Lopez-Ramirez brandished a firearm resulting in the teller giving Lopez-Ramirez cash from the drawer.

On May 9, 2019, Lopez-Ramirez robbed First Bank, located at 8901 East Hampden Avenue in Denver, Colorado.  Again, she approached the teller and handed him a note demanding money, which the teller provided. 

Two days later, on May 11, 2019, Lopez-Ramirez robbed a Bellco Credit Union, located at 3890 North Quebec Street in Denver, Colorado.  Lopez-Ramirez approached the teller and handed her a note.  During the robbery she brandished a firearm located at her side.  Lopez-Ramirez grew impatient and went behind the counter, taking cash out of the drawer.  In doing so, she also took a GPS tracker.

As Lopez-Ramirez fled from the scene of the Bellco robbery in her vehicle, she was tracked by law enforcement using that GPS tracker.  As she attempted to evade law enforcement she reached speeds of up to 100 mph.  She then crashed into another vehicle, seriously injuring that driver.  Lopez-Ramirez was subsequently arrested.  The firearm used in this robbery was recovered from a juvenile who was in the car with Lopez-Ramirez and who had provided the weapon to her for the purpose of the robbery.

Lopez-Ramirez was released from Denver County Jail on May 20, 2019, on conditions that included wearing a GPS ankle monitor.  On May 25, 2019, Lopez-Ramirez removed the ankle monitor and became a fugitive.

On June 4, 2019, Lopez-Ramirez robbed the Bank of the West, located at 1389 South Havana Street in Aurora, Colorado.  Lopez-Ramirez received money from the teller and then fled with a GPS tracker, which she later discarded.

Six days later, on June 10, 2019, Lopez-Ramirez entered and robbed the TCF Bank located at 18520 Green Valley Boulevard in Denver, Colorado.  She walked up to the teller and racked the slide of her gun.  She demanded and received cash from the teller. She then fled the scene.

Lopez-Ramirez was arrested approximately ten days later on shoplifting charges, putting an end to her serial bank robberies. 

“Lopez-Ramirez’s greed drove her to become a serial bank robber, and she continued her crime spree even after being arrested and released,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “Her career as an armed bank robber is over, and she will now have almost two decades in federal prison to think about her actions.”

“Today’s sentencing of Jennifer Adriana Lopez-Ramirez reflects the continuing impact federal, state and local partnerships have on combatting those who commit serial bank robberies in our community,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “We will continue to aggressively investigate individuals that target our financial institutions and ensure they are held accountable. The FBI would like to thank the Denver, Aurora, and Littleton Police Departments, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, as well as the United States Attorney’s Office, for their dedication and hard work on this investigation.”

The sentence was pronounced by U.S. District Court Judge Raymond P. Moore today, July 28, 2020.  Ms. Lopez-Ramirez was charged by indictment on June 5, 2019, and pleaded guilty on February 4, 2020.  This case was investigated by the Denver office of the FBI and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, with substantial assistance from the Denver, Aurora, and Littleton Police Departments, Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.  The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kurt J. Bohn.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.  Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Number 19-cr-0285.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.