‘Lone Ranger Bandit’ Gets 40 Years for 13 Armed Heists

WACO, TX – Richard Wayne Swicegood, 38, of Waxahachie, Texas, will spend the next four decades behind bars after a federal judge sentenced him to 40 years in prison today for a relentless spree of 13 armed bank robberies spanning Texas and Arkansas. The career criminal, dubbed the “Lone Ranger Bandit” by investigators, didn’t act alone, but his brazen tactics and multi-state operation earned him a hefty penalty.

The sentence was handed down in Waco by U.S. District Judge Walter S. Smith, Jr., following Swicegood’s January 15, 2015, guilty plea to 13 counts of bank robbery. Acting United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs announced the sentencing, a culmination of a long and complex investigation that stretched across state lines. Beyond the prison term, Judge Smith ordered Swicegood to pay $119,815.00 in restitution to the victimized financial institutions and face five years of supervised release upon completion of his sentence.

The robbery spree began in 2011 and continued until his capture in 2014. Swicegood targeted multiple branches of the same banks, demonstrating a calculated and persistent pattern of criminal activity. Among the locations hit were three branches of Temple Santa Fe Community Credit Union in Temple, TX, netting him approximately $72,330. He also struck Union State Bank in Round Rock, TX, twice, stealing around $10,780. Other targets included First State Bank in Salado, TX ($5,075), Extraco Bank in Lampasas, TX ($2,450), Select Federal Credit Union in San Antonio, TX ($9,500), Citibank in Wichita Falls, TX ($8,640), Altra Federal Credit Union in Tyler, TX ($5,290), and BBVA Compass Bank in Tyler, TX ($2,750). He even crossed state lines, robbing Summit Bank in Benton, AR, on two occasions, totaling approximately $16,220.

The end came swiftly on July 1, 2014, after the Summit Bank robbery in Benton, Arkansas. An Arkansas State Trooper initiated a traffic stop on Swicegood’s vehicle, and a search revealed a convincing fake firearm and the stolen cash. The trooper’s quick action effectively shut down Swicegood’s reign of terror. The investigation revealed a meticulous, yet ultimately flawed, operation, with Swicegood carefully planning each heist but failing to account for the relentless pursuit of law enforcement.

The case was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and supported by the Texas Rangers, and multiple local police departments including San Antonio, Temple, Round Rock, Wichita Falls, Tyler, Lampasas, and Salado in Texas, as well as the Benton (AR) Police Department and the Arkansas State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Greg Gloff skillfully prosecuted the case, securing a sentence that reflects the severity and scope of Swicegood’s crimes. The “Lone Ranger Bandit” is now facing a long stretch without a horse, a mask, or a chance to rob another bank.

This sentencing sends a clear message: armed bank robbery will not be tolerated. The combined forces of federal and state law enforcement will continue to work tirelessly to bring criminals like Richard Swicegood to justice, ensuring the safety and security of our communities. The $119,815.00 in restitution, while not fully compensating the banks for the disruption and fear caused, offers a small measure of relief to the victims of Swicegood’s criminal enterprise.