Another Houston Bank Robber Heads to Federal Prison
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 14, 2014 |
HOUSTON—Jose Vasquez Selio, Jr., 23, of Houston, has been ordered to prison following his involvement in a bank robbery conspiracy, announced United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Selio pleaded guilty to the conspiracy as well as one count of bank robbery on Sepember 24, 2013.
Today, U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller handed Selio a sentence of 108 months of federal imprisonment—60 months for the conspiracy and 108 months for the bank robbery to be served concurrently. Selio will also have to serve a term of three years of supervised release following completion of the sentence.
Co-defendant Kederly Nataly Portillo, 19, also of Houston, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and will be sentenced February 28, 2014.
At the time of their earlier pleas, both admitted they knowingly conspired to rob the Wells Fargo Bank at 5175 West 34th street in Houston. Portillo was an employee of the bank and was on duty at the time of the robbery. On the morning of May 14, 2013, Selio opened the front door of the Wells Fargo Bank with a key Portillo had given him the prior day. Upon entry, he demanded no one push any buttons and grabbed a teller by the hair, threw her to the floor, and used zip ties to restrain her before forcing her to open the vault. Portillo was also restrained. During the robbery, Selio make several threats, including, “I’m not going to jail,” “If ya’ll move I swear to God I’ll kill ya’ll,” and “Don’t make me do anything I will regret!” The teller stated that Selio was relaxed and even laughed during the robbery and seemed to know the layout of the bank. It was later determined Selio had also been briefly employed by the bank only a few months prior to the robbery.
At the hearing today, additional testimony was presented including that of the Wells Fargo branch manager who stated Selio had been fired because he was suspected of stealing.
Portillo admitted her involvement and that she was given part of the proceeds for her assistance in the robbery.
Selio has been and will remain in custody. Portillo has been permitted to remain on bond pending her sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Bank Robbery Task Force, which is composed of personnel from the FBI, Houston Police Department, and Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Joe Porto is prosecuting the case.