Stephen Gurule, Bank Robbery, New Mexico 2013

Bank Robbery Rocks Espanola Community: Stephen Gurule, a 34-year-old Espanola man, pleaded guilty to robbing the Community Bank in Espanola, NM, on September 27, 2013.

According to court filings, Gurule passed a handwritten note demanding money to a bank teller at approximately 3:00 pm that day. The FBI received a call from an individual who reported that Gurule had confessed to robbing the Community Bank on October 1, 2013.

The following day, another individual called the FBI to report that Gurule had confessed to robbing a bank in Espanola. The FBI obtained an arrest warrant for Gurule on October 3, 2013, after comparing a driver’s license photograph of Gurule to the robber shown on the bank surveillance video and determining that the robber appeared to be Gurule.

During today’s proceedings, Gurule entered a guilty plea to the indictment and admitted robbing Community Bank on September 27, 2013. Gurule has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

At sentencing, Gurule faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. The Community Bank was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money during the heist.

The case was investigated by the Santa Fe Office of the FBI and City of Espanola Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Walsh.

Gurule’s guilty plea brings closure to the Espanola community, which was shaken by the brazen bank robbery. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrator to justice.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Crow Dog, Firearms Offense, South Dakota 2012

Jan 15, 2012

Violent Crime

Day Chief, Firearms Offense, Montana 2023

Jan 15, 2023

Violent Crime

Daley's Dirty Deal Goes Down In Flames

Jul 1, 2015

Violent Crime

ROSSI's Web of Deceit Exposed in Federal Court

Jul 1, 2015