Home Phoenix Press Releases 2010 “Wig Bandit” Leader Sentenced to 106 Years in Federal Prison
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“Wig Bandit” Leader Sentenced to 106 Years in Federal Prison

U.S. Attorney’s Office April 13, 2010
  • District of Arizona (602) 514-7500

PHOENIX—Julio Cesar Feliciano, Jr., 46, of Phoenix, was sentenced here yesterday by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell to over 106 years in federal prison. Feliciano was found guilty by a federal jury in November 2009, of five counts of armed bank robbery, four counts of use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery and use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

“The Wig Bandits terrorized bank customers and employees, but no longer,” said Dennis K. Burke, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “This lengthy sentence appropriately reflects the serious nature of these violent bank robberies.”

“Today’s sentence for the ring leader of the Wig Bandits is a message to those bank robbers who prey on bank employees and customers,” said Special Agent in Charge Nathan Gray of the FBI Phoenix Division. “This case shows the tremendous cooperation between our law enforcement partners which led to the capture of the Wig Bandits.”

The evidence at trial showed that Feliciano committed five armed bank robberies in the Phoenix area between June 17, 2008 and August 12, 2008, and that at least one gun was used in each robbery. In sentencing Feliciano to such a lengthy sentence, Judge Campbell cited the “brazen” level of violence used in the robberies.

Feliciano and his associates were dubbed the “Wig Bandits” because they wore wigs in most of the robberies. The evidence at trial showed that Feliciano was the leader of the group. Feliciano is the last of the Wig Bandits to be sentenced; other sentences for the crew have ranged from eight years for Feliciano’s wife to 22 years for Feliciano’s right-hand man.

The investigation leading to the guilty verdict was conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Glendale Police Department, Phoenix Police Department, and Avondale Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Alison S. Bachus and Dimitra H. Sampson, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-08-932-PHX-DGC
RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-062(Feliciano)

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