Marcello Shofner, Bank Robbery, Texas 2023

Bank Robbers Sentenced to 35 Years in Federal Prison

Two bank robbers who led police on a wild chase across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas have been sentenced to a combined 35 years in federal prison.

Dubbed the 'Halo Bandits' by the FBI, Marcello Shofner, 37, and Cedric Burns, 41, both pleaded guilty to bank robbery in April. In plea papers, the pair admitted they entered a Texas Trust Credit Union in Hurst, Texas, pointed replica weapons at three employees, and demanded more than $100,000 in U.S. currency from the vault.

Money in hand, they fled the scene in a grey Ford Focus. Their getaway driver, Antranette Canady, 46, led authorities on a high-speed pursuit down Interstate 30 and onto a dead end street in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood, where all three were apprehended by law enforcement.

Marcello Shofner was sentenced Monday morning by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O'Connor to 15 years in federal prison. Cedric Burns was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison late last month. Antranette Canady, who also pleaded guilty to bank robbery in April, is slated to be sentenced next month.

Co-conspirator Precious Alexander, who'd planned to be the 'switch' driver but was detained by law enforcement before she could meet up with Shofner and Burns, also pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to 9 years in federal prison.

The FBI Dallas Violent Crimes Task Force conducted the investigation; the Dallas Police Department assisted in the defendants' apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Fahey is prosecuting the case.

Mandatory Facts:

• Defendant: Marcello Shofner, Cedric Burns, Antranette Canady, Precious Alexander
• Criminal Charges: Bank Robbery
• City, State: Dallas, Texas
• Date: April 2023 (plea), May 2023 (sentencing)
• Sentence: Marcello Shofner: 15 years in federal prison, Cedric Burns: 20 years in federal prison, Antranette Canady: pending sentencing, Precious Alexander: 9 years in federal prison
• Amount: $100,000

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndtx/pr/halo-bandit-bank-robbers-sentenced-combined-35-years-federal-prison