SAN FRANCISCO – Jorge Lopez, aka “Cowboy,” was sentenced to
104 months in prison today for robbing and conspiring to rob five San Francisco
Bay Area banks, announced Acting United States Attorney Alex G. Tse and Federal
Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. The sentence was handed down by the Honorable
Lucy H. Koh, United States District Judge.
According to court documents, Lopez, 32, of Salinas, was a
registered gang member and pleaded guilty plea to the bank robbery on December
18, 2017. According to the plea agreement, Lopez also admitted robbing Bay Area
banks on five occasions between November of 2011 and March of 2012.
“This office is fully committed to the Salinas community to
stop criminals and dismantle gangs wreaking havoc in and around the area,” said
Acting U.S. Attorney Tse. “Today’s sentence sends the clear message that we
will work hard to bring these gangs to justice.”
“The FBI is committed to combating the threat of gang
violence that plagues the community of Salinas,” said FBI Special Agent in
Charge Bennett. “Today's sentencing
highlights our continued work with our state and local partners to identify and
investigate those who engage in gang related crimes in order to ensure the
safety of our citizens.”
Lopez admitted that on November 9, 2011, together with
others, he robbed a bank in Pacific Grove, Calif. Lopez admitted that he
brandished a firearm during the robbery and used it to threaten, frighten, and
intimidate the bank employees so that they would hand over the money. On that
occasion, Lopez and his fellow robbers stole approximately $18,383.00 from the
bank. Further, on December 2, 2011,
Lopez, together with others, robbed a bank in Seaside, Calif., during which one
of the robbers brandished a gun. Lopez
and his fellow robbers stole approximately $12,158.00 from the bank. Similarly, on January 5, 2012 Lopez, together with others, robbed a bank in
San Jose, Calif. Lopez acknowledged that
on that occasion, he brandished a firearm during the robbery. Lopez and his fellow robbers stole
approximately $16,000.00 from the bank on that occasion. On January 19, 2012, Lopez, together with
others, robbed a bank in Salinas, Calif.
Lopez acknowledged that on that occasion, he brandished a firearm during
the robbery. Lopez and his fellow
robbers stole approximately $6,313.00 from the bank on that occasion. Finally, on March 20, 2012, Lopez, together
with others, robbed a bank in San Jose, Calif.
On that occasion, Lopez and his fellow robbers stole approximately
$20,000.00 from the bank.
On December 11, 2017, Lopez was charged by superseding
information with one count of conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery, in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § § 2113(a) and (d), and 371; one count of armed bank
robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § § 2113(a) and (2) and 2; and one count of
use or possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § § 924(c)(1)(A) and 2.
Pursuant to his plea agreement, Lopez pleaded guilty to all counts in
the superseding information. Lopez was
originally indicted on some of these charges on November 8, 2016. On January 5, 2018, Lopez’s co-defendant
Francisco Javier Marmolejo, aka “Blindy,” pleaded guilty to the same
charges. On May 9, 2018, Judge Koh
sentenced Marmolejo to over nine years in prison.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Koh also ordered Lopez
to pay restitution in the amount of $52,854.00 and to serve five years of
supervised release to begin after his prison term. Lopez is currently in state custody serving a
16-year prison sentence, part of which will be credited to his federal
term. Upon his release from state custody
on or around August 25, 2027, Lopez will have approximately 84 months remaining
on his federal sentence.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney
Claudia A. Quiroz with the assistance of Jessica Meegan and Lance
Libatique. The prosecution is the result
of an investigation by the FBI.
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