LAREDO, TEXAS – Adrian Hernandez, a 42-year-old Laredo resident, will spend the next six and a half years in federal prison after being sentenced for a brazen robbery of Falcon International Bank. The sentencing, announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, closes a case delayed by the recent government shutdown but now brought to a decisive conclusion.
The crime unfolded on June 10, 2024, at the bank located at 212 Bob Bullock Loop. Hernandez, according to court documents, approached a teller and presented a handwritten note: “this is a bank robbery, give me all the money.” He attempted to conceal a potential weapon with a gray shirt wrapped around his hand, adding a layer of menace to the already tense situation. The teller, acting quickly, triggered the silent alarm and complied with the demand, handing over cash, including pre-recorded “bait money.”
Hernandez didn’t stay to count his ill-gotten gains. He fled the scene in his vehicle, immediately kicking off a high-risk pursuit. Law enforcement officers soon located a vehicle matching the description at a local motel. An attempted traffic stop quickly escalated into a chase, culminating in a violent collision with a chain link fence near Salinas Avenue. Before Hernandez surrendered, officers discharged their firearms, though thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
The evidence against Hernandez was damning. He was found wearing the same clothing as captured on the bank’s security footage. Inside his vehicle, authorities discovered a substantial amount of cash, the yellow note used in the robbery, and a blue marker matching the handwriting on the demand. It was a clear and direct link to the crime. Hernandez pleaded guilty on April 1st, accepting responsibility for his actions.
U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo, delivering the sentence, emphasized the gravity of Hernandez’s actions and the danger he poses to the community. The 78-month sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and a need to protect the public. Hernandez will remain in federal custody while awaiting transfer to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his sentence.
The investigation was led by the FBI, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Makens spearheading the prosecution. This case serves as a stark reminder that those who threaten the safety and security of financial institutions, and the public at large, will be met with the full force of federal law.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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