Garcia, Coulter, Cunningham Indicted in Credit Union Heist

Armed and ruthless, they stormed into the Education Credit Union on FM 2381 and seized cash under threat of violence — now Raul Garcia, 27, Leonard Jovon Coulter, 28, and Richard Charles Cunningham, Jr., 38, are facing the full wrath of federal law. A grand jury in Amarillo, Texas, has returned a two-count indictment against all three men, charging them with robbing the financial institution and brandishing firearms during the violent crime.

According to the indictment, on September 23, 2016, Coulter and Cunningham stormed the credit union with guns drawn, using force and intimidation to steal money belonging to the federally insured institution. Located at 1801 FM 2381, the scene became a flashpoint of fear as employees and customers were threatened. Garcia waited outside in a getaway vehicle, engine running, ready to vanish into the Texas night.

The charges are as severe as the crime: one count of credit union robbery, punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine; and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence — a charge that carries a mandatory seven-year sentence and another $250,000 fine. No plea has been entered, but if convicted, the trio could face decades behind bars.

All three defendants are currently in federal custody, awaiting trial. While the indictment represents the formal start of prosecution, federal authorities emphasize that it is not a finding of guilt. Each man is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The investigation was a coalition of force and precision. The FBI led the probe alongside the Amarillo Police Department, the Potter County District Attorney’s Office, and the Potter County Sheriff’s Department. Their combined efforts unraveled the suspects’ movements, secured evidence, and brought the alleged perpetrators to justice within the federal system.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Frausto is prosecuting the case for the Northern District of Texas. U.S. Attorney John Parker confirmed the indictment, underscoring the federal government’s commitment to cracking down on violent financial crimes. The case remains active, with court dates pending.