Related Federal Cases
- GOP Rising Star Shuts Down VP Talk · Florida
- Wall Street Bailout: NY & CA Lose $2 Trillion · North Carolina
- Medicare Scam Lands Florida Man 5 Years · New York
- WV Biz Owner Cashed In on COVID Chaos · West Virginia
- Wheeling CEO Nabbed in $300K COVID Scam · Alabama
Robber Sentenced to 14 Years
An Orlando man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a brazen credit union robbery that left employees shaken.
Raulier Rivas Lopez, 28, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway for one count of credit union robbery with assault and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of the robbery. As part of his sentence, the Court also ordered Lopez to pay over $7,000 in restitution.
Lopez pleaded guilty on June 10, 2014, for his role in the robbery of the American Eagle Credit Union located at 7007 SeaWorld Drive, in Orlando. According to court documents and testimony at sentencing, Lopez, along with three co-conspirators, robbed the credit union on the morning of January 25, 2012.
Lopez and two of his co-conspirators, all wearing masks, entered the credit union and demanded money from the credit union employees. Lopez pointed a firearm at the employees as his co-conspirators pepper-sprayed the employees so that they would not be able to identify the robbers. Lopez and his co-conspirators stole approximately $7,000 during the robbery.
To date, one other individual, Joseph Cotto-Diaz, has been arrested for his role in this robbery. Cotto-Diaz was charged in a superseding indictment on March 19, 2014. He is scheduled for trial in October 2014.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.
As Lopez begins serving his 14-year sentence, the community is left to wonder how such a brazen crime could have occurred. The credit union robbery serves as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the need for law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting its citizens.
RELATED: Buffalo Thug Pleads Guilty to Beating Postal Carrier
RELATED: Meth, Fentanyl & Guns: Ramirez Faces Federal Heat
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
ðŸâ€â€™ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
