Bank Robbers Head to Federal Prison

MCALLEN, TX—Victor Gamez, 33, of Alamo, Texas, has been sentenced to federal prison for carjacking a victim and then robbing a Weslaco Credit Union, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. Gustavo Sanchez Herrera, 24, a Mexican citizen illegally in the United States, was also sentenced today for his part in robbing a McAllen Credit Union.

Today, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez sentenced Gamez, 33, to 125 months in federal prison. Herrera received 60 months. At the hearing today, additional testimony was presented that included statements by employees of the credit unions who described the grave fear they felt during the bank robberies. Co-defendant Ivan Alejandro Reyes-Rodriguez, 28, a Mexican citizen illegally in the United States, will be sentenced next month.

On September 16, 2011, Gamez and Reyes carjacked a female victim in Weslaco, Texas. Gamez dropped Reyes off in a neighborhood in order for Reyes to steal a vehicle to be used minutes later in a bank robbery. Reyes approached the victim and threatened her with a dangerous weapon. He then forced her to give him the vehicle and then escaped with her 2006 Ford Explorer.

Minutes later, Gamez and Reyes robbed the La Joya Area Federal Credit Union in Weslaco at gunpoint. Reyes threatened the tellers with a gun while Gamez collected the money. They then fled in the 2006 Ford Explorer they had taken.

On November 23, 2011, Herrera, along with Gamez and Reyes, robbed the HEB Federal Credit Union in McAllen, Texas at gunpoint. Reyes vaulted the teller counter, waved a silver handgun at the tellers, and demanded money. Sanchez acted as a look out and drove the getaway vehicle.

The defendants have been in custody since December 5, 2011 and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

The FBI investigated the case along with the Weslaco and McAllen police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen J. Rees and Leo J. Leo prosecuted the case.