Gabriel Tenorio, Armed Bank Robbery, Texas 2013

Lubbock, Texas — A shocking case of armed bank robbery has come to an end with Gabriel Tenorio, 30, being sentenced to 140 months in federal prison. Tenorio, a resident of Lubbock, was the getaway driver in the May 1, 2013, armed robbery of a Lubbock National Bank.

According to a factual resume filed in the case, Tenorio and his co-defendant, Russell Eugene Heath, 44, planned and executed the robbery of the Lubbock National Bank located at 4420 19th Street in Lubbock. At approximately 12:45 p.m., Heath, wearing a mask and gloves and carrying what appeared to be a Glock firearm, entered the bank, pointed the firearm at the tellers and began yelling at them to give him money. He jumped over a counter, opened a teller drawer and began stuffing money in his pockets. He then ran from the bank to a waiting vehicle driven by Tenorio. Tenorio and Heath split the proceeds of the robbery.

Tenorio has been in custody since his arrest in early June 2013. He pleaded guilty in August 2013 to one count of aggravated bank robbery and aiding and abetting as charged in a superseding indictment.

Tenorio’s co-defendant, Russell Eugene Heath, was arrested in August in Calexico, California. He pleaded guilty last month to one count of aggravated bank robbery and aiding and abetting and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and aiding and abetting. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 25 years in federal prison on the robbery conviction and at least five years and up to life on the firearm offense. Each count of conviction also carries a maximum statutory fine of $250,000.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Lubbock Police Department, the Amarillo Police Department, and the Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Criminal Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Williams is in charge of the prosecution.

Today’s announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

Gabriel Tenorio, who was sentenced on Friday by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings, is a resident of Lubbock and has been in custody since his arrest in early June 2013. He pleaded guilty in August 2013 to one count of aggravated bank robbery and aiding and abetting as charged in a superseding indictment. The exact criminal charges against him are Aggravated Bank Robbery and Aiding and Abetting.

The city and state involved in this case are Lubbock, Texas. The exact date of the crime is May 1, 2013. Gabriel Tenorio’s sentence or outcome is 140 months in federal prison, which is a significant sentence in this case. As for dollar amounts, there is no information available in the source.

Related Federal Cases